Although the Stake Lake Rec Site is officially “closed” because of the Ross Moore Lake wildfire, the gate to the parking area is open and lots of people are fishing or paddling the lake, and hiking, walking and biking the inner trails.   On a cloudy but mild September day I launched my kayak into the lake and paddled around the shoreline.

There was a breeze on the lake, but not enough to deter me from a great day of paddling on the lake.    I paddled around twice, once in each direction.    That takes about an hour.

After paddling, I secured the boat on the roof rack, then hiked around the lake, mostly using single tracks where available.

After a period of extended drought the forest is still very dry.    A few shrubs and perennials were still green if they were near water.

This is a favorite, three times around Stake Lake.      We will do this again in the fall.

Some moments of the three loops are shared here in a short YouTube video: