Luna Lake, 3,500 feet below and to the W, has larch trees around it. I've never seen larches anywhere near that far W anywhere else in the N Cascades. The barrier of the Northern Picketts must create a microclimate comparable to the Liberty Bell area there.
True and quite interesting. Beckey makes a brief mention of the "microclimate" larches west of Ross Lake in the Alpine Guide. There are also timberline groves on the Mt. Prophet massif, just east across the valley of Beaver Creek from Luna, which can be seen glinting gold in the autumn from the North Cascades Hwy.
Thanks for the info on this peak, it was very useful this past week. A couple of things to maybe change/add: They told me it now costs $60 one way for a boat ride, though less if you team up with other people on the same boat. Since that was a lot of money I opted to just hike instead, which adds 7 miles one-way from the Ross Dam parking - a nice option for those who have the time and want to save some cash. I also never found a log crossing for the Big Beaver...one area that came close (maybe one of the logs washed away?), but I ended up just having to wade across (crocs and some ski poles are nice to have). This might be an issue though earlier in the season when the water is higher since the water came up almost to my waist.
Eric Sandbo - Feb 16, 2005 1:58 am - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentLuna Lake, 3,500 feet below and to the W, has larch trees around it. I've never seen larches anywhere near that far W anywhere else in the N Cascades. The barrier of the Northern Picketts must create a microclimate comparable to the Liberty Bell area there.
Lee Stamm - Feb 16, 2005 10:41 am - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentTrue and quite interesting. Beckey makes a brief mention of the "microclimate" larches west of Ross Lake in the Alpine Guide. There are also timberline groves on the Mt. Prophet massif, just east across the valley of Beaver Creek from Luna, which can be seen glinting gold in the autumn from the North Cascades Hwy.
sstratta - Aug 1, 2015 4:23 pm - Hasn't voted
LunaThanks for the info on this peak, it was very useful this past week. A couple of things to maybe change/add: They told me it now costs $60 one way for a boat ride, though less if you team up with other people on the same boat. Since that was a lot of money I opted to just hike instead, which adds 7 miles one-way from the Ross Dam parking - a nice option for those who have the time and want to save some cash. I also never found a log crossing for the Big Beaver...one area that came close (maybe one of the logs washed away?), but I ended up just having to wade across (crocs and some ski poles are nice to have). This might be an issue though earlier in the season when the water is higher since the water came up almost to my waist.