Capturing the Art of Nature
Goldie and Flower Lakes
I visited Goldie a year ago but missed Flower Lake. As it was such a pleasant hike I was looking forward to coming back. The cloudy weather added to the scenery of today’s trip.
Category
Serendipitous Discoveries
2008
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My previous trip to these small lakes just below the top parking area on Mount Seymour yielded some very good photos. But on that trip we took a wrong turn and ended up missing Flower Lake and on a much longer hike which quite exhausted us. So I was looking forward to coming again and finding the second lake to see what it had to offer. Our visit today proved to be just as scenic and interesting as before and with the cooler temperature, it was an easier time out there.
On our drive up we were a bit concerned about the weather as the heavy clouds looked like they may just provide us a water offering, but we kept going and hoped for the best. On my prior trips into North Vancouver I noticed a series of humorous road signs warning of areas where deer cross the road. They have funny sayings and outlines of various non-deer animal pictures on them. I guess they are effective in bringing attention to the situation.
When we arrived at the parking area the clouds were still keeping their water so we felt it safe enough to head on out to the Goldie Lake group. The trail seemed to go much faster in the cooler air and we soon were in amongst the small streams and foot bridges. Ethan found an abandoned long marker pole that he carried with him during the hike. We soon arrived at the first of the small lakes and I was able to get started on some serious picture taking. After a brief stop we carried on to Goldie itself.
Goldie was quite full and spreading out well into the grasses above the normal level. Last time here the lake level was fairly low, so this was quite a contrast. The lake surface was quite still and offered many lovely reflections. I have always enjoyed photographing reflections and today’s hike certainly provided me with much variety. At different points the clouds moved in and added some lovely mist textures to the trees and mountain slopes. The constant motion of the clouds kept changing the scenes faster than I could compose them for the camera!
This trip we found the correct trail to Flower Lake and as we made our way to it we crossed through a number of other little lakes and marsh areas. The small lakes leading up to Flower I found more interesting then Flower itself. It was a fun new area to explore with a number of scenic spots. After Flower we set on back up the trail to the parking area. After resting a bit we drove to the slightly lower lot and parked to check out an area where I found a number of mushrooms the last time I hiked Goldie. When we arrived at the place with the biggest mushrooms I found only a few this year but instead I met a Ham friend who was up with a group working on the local repeater. It was good seeing him. His group was here doing their annual clean-up and family picnic.
Once done with the mushrooms, we drove down had a bite to eat at a lovely Sushi restraint at the base of the hill. Then we went over to Indian Arm to check out an area that is north of Deep Cove. It was a pretty section but the houses were crowding the shore and this blocked much opportunity of seeing the sights. Then it was on home and past the funny deer crossing signs.
Ethan and I enjoyed chatting with friends back home with our radios. Today’s hike didn’t need my cross-band repeater setup at the truck as we were very close to the Mt. Seymour repeater facility and the hand-held’s had no trouble reaching the repeater tower the short distance up the slope. It was a nice hike and we found many new angles to capture. It will be an area I return to many times.