Lower Florence Lake

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Lower Florence Lake
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Lower Florence Lake
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Red pog.svg
Lower Florence Lake
Location Chelan County, Washington, United States
Coordinates 47°39′13″N120°56′22″W / 47.6537191°N 120.9393131°W / 47.6537191; -120.9393131
Primary outflows Unnamed [1]
Basin  countriesUnited States
Surface area1.6 acres (0.0065 km2) [2]
Surface elevation5,794 ft (1,766 m) [3]

Lower Florence Lake is a freshwater lake located on the west skirt of Ladies Peak and Cape Horn, and North of Grindstone Mountain, in Chelan County, Washington. The lake is a popular area for hiking, swimming, and fishing cutthroat trout. [2] Lower Florence Lake is located further down the slope from Upper Florence Lake, approximately 15 miles west of the city of Leavenworth. Self-issued Alpine Lake Wilderness permit is required for transit within the Lake Alice area. [4]

Contents

Along with neighboring lakes, Lake Florence was given its name by Albert Hale Sylvester, [5] a topographer for the United States Geological Survey working throughout the North Cascades National Park Complex sometime between 1949 and 1957. [6]

Access

The foot trail starts at the Chatter Creek Trailhead at the end of USFS Road 7609 on the north shore of Icicle Creek. Chatter Creek Trail #1580 is approximately 5.5 miles long and travels fairly closely to the course of Chatter Creek. The trail leads past Lake Sylvester and Lake Alice reaching and joining Icicle Ridge Trail #1580 on the north skirt of Grindstone mountain. [7] Upper Florence Lake is located just under the main trail along the summit of Icicle Ridge, [8] west out of the junction with Chatter Creek Trail. Icicle Ridge Trail shortly afterward will bend left straight towards Upper Florence Lake over Mary ridge approximately 3/4 mile down the slope. [9] Lower Florence Lake is further down the skirt of the ridge.

Campsites are located along the first few miles of Chatter Creek Trail until the trail becomes more forested around the bowls formed for Lakes Sylvester and Alice. Self-issued Alpine Lake Wilderness permit required for transit within the Grindstone Mountain area and can be obtained at the Chatter Creek Trailhead and the Campground past the Guard station. [10]

Access to Icicle Ridge Trail can also be gained by Fourth of July Trail #1579 and from the Icicle Ridge Trailhead off Icicle Road in the city of Leavenworth. [11]

See also

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References

  1. Decision List - United States Board on Geographic Names, Issues 5401-5904. United States Board on Geographic Names. 1954. p. 11.
  2. 1 2 "Lower Florence". Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife . Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  3. "Loch Eileen Trail #1584.1". United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
  4. Barnes, Jeremy and Nathan (2019). Alpine Lakes Wilderness: The Complete Hiking Guide. Mountaineers Books. p. Section 78. ISBN   1680510789.
  5. Bentley, Judy (2019). Hiking Washington's History. University of Washington Press. p. 268. ISBN   9780295805085.
  6. "Chatter Creek Trail #1580". United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  7. Northwest Fishing Guide. 1952. p. 130.
  8. Spring, Vicky and Ira (1985). 100 Hikes in the Alpine Lakes. Mountaineers. p. 11.
  9. "Chatter Creek Trailhead". United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  10. "Icicle Ridge Trail #1570". United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 11 March 2021.