The lazy days of Summer are a perfect time to do some paddling on Palmer Lake in North Central Washington. Hot days and deliciously cool water with sights and sounds of this beautiful remote lake. There is nothing like it.
Nick powers across Palmer Lake
A day like this one with wonderful sights of the surrounding hills and mountains and the calm water. Such a perfect way to spend an early evening on the lake.
Alec prepares for Adventure out on Palmer Lake
Pursuing Balance Through Adventure YouTube Channel Kayaking Palmer Lake CLICK THE PIC!
Memories made at the lake last forever.
Join Alec, Nick and I again for another Adventure, but first please COMMENT, LIKE, SHARE, and FOLLOW. And please if you like the caps we are wearing than check out my fine line of outdoor wearSHOP APPAREL.Outing such as this are good for the body, mind and soul. ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ is a worthy aspiration indeed.
This area is managed by the Bureau of Land Management and is a large 5,500 acre site. After making our way up a 4×4 trail we parked at Chopaka Lake one of the most famous fly fishing lakes in the lower 48. Actor Tom Skerritt, to name one celebrity, has flown in and fished here.
This hike certainly shows off the beauty of the area. Everything was so fresh and green. Along our route we enjoyed big fir trees, spring wildflowers, as well as nice lake views. The later part of the trek we made our way up some animal trails and even did a bit of bushwhacking to a favorite cliffside perch with stunning views of the valley, river and Palmer Lake.
A Big Foot Documentary was filmed in this area using infrared cameras in search of the elusive creature. They didn’t not find any proof of Sasquatch, and for that matter either did we.
If you make it up to the Similkameen River Valley Overlook mind you step as the grassy hill is deceptive as to just how steep it is and what lies just beyond that grass, which is nothing because it is a sheer cliff. The view is stunning, taking in the surrounding mountains and hills, the valley, the river and Palmer Lake. When you lookout towards the left, from that vantage point, you are looking at Canada. It is a splendid spot to sit, have a snack and enjoy one another’s company.
On the way back we stopped at the famous fly fishing Chopaka Lake and Dale cast his fly out into the lake in hopes of a trout. We saw a nice one in the shallows, but I guess he was not hungry.
Peggy sets the pace, and Marina strikes a pose.
Local Guides sister Peggy and husband Dale cliffside
Pursuing Balance Through Adventure YouTube Channel Click the Pic!In life, just like on the trail, don’t forget to slow down and take in the view.
Thanks to our local guides Dale and sister Peggy. Nick, Marina, Alec and I took a moment to take the pack off, both literally and figuratively, as we were ’Pursing Balance Through Adventure’. Stay with us for more adventures, it is easy to do so by fulfilling a couple easy steps: COMMENT, LIKE, FOLLOW and SHARE. PBTA travels extensively throughout the West. If you go to the menu above it may give you some ideas for an adventure of your own. Each location is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. If you are in need of adventure wear, such as that displayed in the pictures by some of our wonderful action models, then I invite you to go to SHOP APPAREL.
Winter wonderland comes to Northern Washington’s Palmer Lake. The snow flakes were flying, and Jack Frost was nipping at our nose. Palmer Lake washed out in the subdued colors of grey, black and white, made it clear winter is here. All was quiet other that the distance honk of Canadian Geese and the ripples of the lake lapping at the shore. The air was crisp and cold, bringing a rosy color to chapped cheeks. The snow crackled and crunched with each step as we gained altitude and snow depth which each step. There were tracks meandering across the trail some identifiable such as the plentiful deer, others raised an eyebrow knowing that there are predators in this area. Out of the corner of my eye I spied a coyote shadowing us up on a nearby ridge.
What a great outing with my sister, Peggy, as she introduced me to snow shoeing. So nice to be out together in nature on such a winter’s day. I loved the snow shoeing and as the snow deepened so did my appreciation of the equipment, thinking back to post holing my way up to Big Horn Peak in California last winter in snow up to my knees in my micro spikes.
The lake and surrounding mountainsides were somewhat shrouded by fog and clouds as the snow came down ever so lightly making such a lovely wintery scene.
Sister Peggy and I snow shoed to an overlook of snowy Palmer Lake
“Off all the paths you take to hike, make sure a least a few of them are snow” – Roger Jenkins
Video of Our Snow Shoeing on PBTA YouTube click pic
Thanks for joining sister Peggy and I while we were ’Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ up a snowy mountainside in snow shoes and enjoying every minute of the Winter Wonderland. I hope that you will join us for more adventures and you can do so by performing a few easy tasks: LIKE, COMMENT, FOLLOW and SHARE. If you take a look at the menu above you will see that PBTA ventures to many idyllic locations. Each location is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. If you like the beanie I am wearing in the photo I invite you to SHOP APPARELwhere you will find top quality gear with the logo and mantra. Not only will you look and feel the part of an Adventurer seeking the balance from the hectic and mundane you will be helping spread the word that Epic Encounters in Nature are one of the keys to cleansing the soul.
>8 miles, 2,630’ elevation change, 4 hour duration, rated Hard
Date: 4-18-21
I took this hike, ‘Hiking the Firebreak’, back in November and it was easy to see that the firebreak made a big difference to the Palmer Lake area as the wildfire burned over the ridge and right down to the firebreak. The use of the firebreak by the brave firefighters made a difference. Last year the ground was charred and black, but now with Spring’s promise of renewal the area is literately “Springing” back to life. It was great to see not only the domestic animals, a herd of beautiful horses being sustained by the land, but a strong deer population as well.
On this particular hike I went past the ridge line to a nearby peak. I had wanted to summit nearby Bullfrog Peak, but came to realization that there wasn’t enough time in the day to accomplish that task. There was a climb down from where I was and then up to the summit of Bullfrog and all of that was going to add mileage and elevation change that there just wasn’t time for. Another day…
“Like wildflowers; You must allow yourself to grow in all the places people thought you never would .” – Evan Williams
Thanks for joining me ‘Pursing Balance Through Adventure’ to a unnamed peak above Palmer Lake via the Palmer Lake Firebreak. I find solace in the renewal Spring brings each year. The ice on the lake is long gone, winter snow has melted away from all, but the Chopaka Mountain. It is good to see new life rise up from the ashes. Please stay with me for more adventure here at ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ Washington Hiking by leaving a COMMENT, LIKE, FOLLOW and SHARE. You can find adventurous undertakings throughout the West by going to the Menu above. Each location is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. You can find PBTA Adventure Wear at SHOP APPAREL.
Btw there is a Father’s Day Special of 30% off all Cotton Tees, just leave me a message with your order to receive the special price.)
Palmer Lake is a special place in Okanogan County just outside Loomis, WA. It is wonderful anytime of year, but with the blossoms from the pears, and cherry trees in bloom along with all the apple trees beginning to leaf out it is spectacular. The weather starts to warm up, the deer are down grazing near the lake edge, and the osprey are soaring overhead.
A little walking by the lake, a little hike up the mountain to enjoy views of the surroundings, and of course the heavenly views of Palmer Lake.
The things I do to increase my FOLLOWING! No that is not a rubber snake nor is it dead, checkout the video, (Coming Attraction), and watch the flicking tongue. The creature in my hand has the coloring of a RATTLESNAKE, however it does not have the large angular head, nor the rattle. It is a gopher snake. Just the same KIDS DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME, OR HOME ON THE RANGE EITHER!
Time spent outdoors is not spent it is invested.
Thanks for traveling with me to Palmer Lake, located in about the center of Washington State just shy of the Canadian Boarder. What a great place to find yourself ‘Pursing Balance Through Adventure’. It is a place of mountains, and rolling grass highlands, lakes, and timber, a place to perch on a peak, or stand next to the lake and reflect in the quiet ambience of a sunny day. If you want to be included in more inspirational experiences then here is what you should do: COMMENT, LIKE, FOLLOW and SHARE. If you would like to checkout other places to be PBTA then go to they menu above. Each location is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. While you at it go to SHOP APPARELwhere you will find logoed adventure wear. You will not only adorn yourself with top quality gear, but you will carry forth the manta ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ immersing yourself in a world of unplugging- a place about getting away, putting down the heavy pack filled with all the worries, fears, noise, confusion, responsibilities, and deadlines of our busy, crazy, world… if only for awhile. Breath in, breath out, breath in nature, breath out stress and anxiety.
Activity: Canoeing, horseback riding, swimming, boating, wake-boarding, water skiing, biking, fishing, exploring and hiking
Palmer Lake in Okanogan County, near the towns of Loomis and Tonasket Washington, is a beautiful little lake surrounded by grassy hillsides, and rocky mountains. Palmer Lake sports 10 miles of shoreline. One side has houses dotted along it’s beach the other rugged mountain side.
Palmer Lake
There are plenty of activities to keep outdoor lovers enthusiastically entertained. I have enjoyed the hospitality of my sister Peggy and her husband Dale Crandall at their beautiful home over looking this postcard setting on multiple occasions and I can hardly wait to return.
We hiked up above Palmer Lake for marvelous views and enjoyed the serenity of this place. The day hike was a great way to stretch the legs and prepare for our upcoming backpacking adventure.
I love canoeing on Palmer Lake and I went out quite often during my visit. It is usually pretty still in the morning, but the breeze that comes up sometimes in the afternoon and can give you quite a workout getting back. The lily pads are a great place to catch yellow perch. Other fish in this lake are black crappie, burbot, large and small mouth bass, and sockeye salmon. Along the cliff pictured in the background of the picture above left is a great place to find some shade in the afternoon and chill. For those more adventurous there is a great place for jumping off a perch on the cliff side into the cool water.
Similkameen River flows into Palmer Lake
Lots of wildlife in the area
One day I did some exploring by bike, checking out the natural beauty as well as some weathered and rustic old buildings.
Marina models ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ Cap. Get yours at Pursuing Balance Through Adventure Shop Apparel
Good times on the lake wake-boarding.
Peggy having a delightful day on the lake slalom waterskiing.
Silhouette of Rattle Snake Wrangler Dale
2 Rattlers found at garage door
I knew that there were animals and reptiles to be wary of in the area such as black bear, cougar, coyote, and rattle snakes, but I did not think that Dale would wrangle a couple for me to checkout close up and personal like this. These two were right out the garage door. He released them up the hill a ways.
Listen to that rattling those snakes are angry.If you are lucky enough to live at the lake, your are lucky enough.
Thanks for joining sister Peggy, brother-in-law Dale, daughter Marina and I ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure Washington State Hiking’. I invite you to checkout some of my other websites for adventures in other areas of the West. If you enjoyed this post then please LIKE, COMMENT, FOLLOW, and SHARE.
-Roger Jenkins, Pursuing Balance Through Adventure
Washington State Hiking Pursuing Balance Thru Adventure 