HiLakers

09/13/2024

This past weekend, Hi-Lakers Jon Jones and Josh Burck spearheaded a collaboration with the Skykomish Ranger District to install a backcountry toilet at Chetwoot Lake in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. The remote location has never had a toilet for visitors to use and was in dire need.

Jon and Josh met up with Skykomish Ranger Sonny Bates-Mundell, Snoqualmie Ranger Mabel From, and Will Henson of West Seattle at the West Fork Foss Lakes trailhead at 8:30 AM on Saturday. There they distributed the partially assembled cedar toilet and tools amongst the group and proceeded 7.3 miles up the trail. Knowing the approach to Chetwoot would be eased by reducing their pack weights, the group’s destination for the evening was Big Heart Lake, which would serve as their base camp.

On Sunday morning, the group left their overnight gear behind and packed the materials and tools the remaining 2.7 miles to Chetwoot, arriving by 11 AM. A spot for the toilet in a copse of trees above the outlet had previously been identified by the Skykomish backcountry rangers. After a brief snack, part of the crew began to excavate the pit, while others worked to assemble the toilet and signpost. With their respective tasks complete, the two teams worked together to complete the job by 1:30 PM.

Jon and Josh took advantage of the opportunity to survey the lake, catching several Westslope Cutthroat in the process. Then they hiked 10 miles back to the trailhead with Will, stopping at Big Heart to collect their gear, while Rangers Sonny and Mabel continued on their beat through the Alpine Lakes High Route.

After having this project on hiatus for a few years due to the pandemic, it was a great feeling to finally see it to fruition. The Hi-Lakers would like to express deep gratitude to Skykomish Ranger Sonny Bates-Mundell, Snoqualmie Ranger Mabel From, and Will Henson for helping the club execute this important project over the weekend. Thanks to their help, the club was able to make a lasting impression at Chetwoot Lake while serving one of our core objectives – preserving Washington’s high lakes environment.

10/29/2021

Attention members… don’t miss out on the opportunity to participate in this year’s Photo Contest! The top 12 entries will be featured in our 2022 calendar.

The deadline for submissions is October 31st so send your photos ASAP. Complete contest rules and instructions are posted here >> https://mailchi.mp/45a4849d9f6d/2021-photo-contest-announcement-9364157

Here are the top 3 photos from last year taken by Ken Masel, Ryan Mugan, and Toni Carlstrom.

10/29/2021

10/21/2021

Join us tonight @ 7PM at the October Hi-Lakers meeting to learn how beavers create healthier ecosystems for fish and wildlife >> bit.ly/BeaverEcology

04/22/2021

Learn what Jacques White and 'Long Live the Kings' is doing for sustainable fishing in the PNW, and to bring wild salmon and steelhead back for the long run. The April Hi-Lakers meeting begins in 1 Hour! Get the Zoom link here - https://www.facebook.com/events/2939942936291236

02/24/2021

2020 was a GREAT year for big fish… seven Hi-Lakers caught alpine trout over 20-inches!

Did you miss the results of our 2020 Kingfish Award at the Hi-Lakers meeting last Wednesday? No problem, we’ve posted the info to our blog including a photo of each fish, the lucky angler who caught it, and details about the largest fish of the season!

More info at

2020 Kingfish Results By Tony Curless On February 23, 2021 In Uncategorized Thanks to all who submitted entries for the 2020 Kingfish program! It was a great year for big fish as seven Hi-Lakers crossed the 20-inch threshold. The largest was a 24-inch rainbow caught by new member, Tanner Dutra. Thos...

12/19/2020

As you may know, the damaged dam on Eightmile Lake is due for replacement. This raises some serious environmental concerns. Washington Department of Ecology is inviting the public to participate in the environmental analysis of proposals to rebuild the dam. The purpose of the review is to understand the potential consequences of each proposal. The comment period ends Feb 1, 2021.

Visit the Hi-Lakers blog for more information and to learn how you can participate. I’ve included a link below in the comments.

After a summer wildfire scorched a lake in the popular Enchantments area, spring runoff threatened to overwhelm the lake’s dam and flood homes below. The crisis highlighted aging, little-known dams in precious Washington wilderness and shows how climate change could...