Chester Lake Momma Bear - head's up

[Scott N]

Just a head's up if anyone is going to Chester in the next few days, we hiked up there yesterday morning to fish and there is a female with at least one cub foraging right at the lake. She is well behaved, but yesterday she was right at the trailhead when arriving at the lake, and might be around for a few more days.

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[Smoky buck]

Those meadows have always attracted grizzly and it’s wise to almost except them there

How’s the fishing in Chester theses days

[Scott N]

Originally Posted by Smoky buck

Those meadows have always attracted grizzly and it’s wise to almost except them there

How’s the fishing in Chester theses days

fishing was good, lots of people though, as one might expect with warm weather.

[CardiacCowboy]

Planning a trip here this year but never been. Could you provide some details?
How long is the hike? Have heard from 45min to 2hrs
Do you have to cross creeks?
Is the trail will marked? on trail maps show many ways of going
Is it possible to bring one of those folding wagons up the trail?

Thanks, the more I know the more likely I am to get up there.

[Scott N]

Originally Posted by CardiacCowboy

Planning a trip here this year but never been. Could you provide some details?
How long is the hike? Have heard from 45min to 2hrs
Do you have to cross creeks?
Is the trail will marked? on trail maps show many ways of going
Is it possible to bring one of those folding wagons up the trail?

Thanks, the more I know the more likely I am to get up there.

It's what most would consider a "moderate" hike, no creeks to cross, half the trail to the lake can be used to cycle up there. It takes us about 1.5 hours to hike up with Fish Cat 4 boats, so I'd say most could make it in just over an hour. Trail is well marked, even the alternate routes have signage.

The trail is pretty wide and well used, I'm not sure what kind of folding wagon you're referring to, but COs rode quads up to the lake last year to give you some idea.

I compare this hike in difficulty to Rawson Lake, if you've ever been up there.

[CardiacCowboy]

Thanks, never been to rawson but been to elbow a couple of times.

Originally Posted by Scott N

It's what most would consider a "moderate" hike, no creeks to cross, half the trail to the lake can be used to cycle up there. It takes us about 1.5 hours to hike up with Fish Cat 4 boats, so I'd say most could make it in just over an hour. Trail is well marked, even the alternate routes have signage.

The trail is pretty wide and well used, I'm not sure what kind of folding wagon you're referring to, but COs rode quads up to the lake last year to give you some idea.

I compare this hike in difficulty to Rawson Lake, if you've ever been up there.

[Scott N]

I think Chester is about twice the elevation gain and a little more than twice the distance compared to Elbow.

[the local angler]

wow really i didn't know bikes were allowed there that is cool to hear

[Scott N]

Originally Posted by the local angler

wow really i didn't know bikes were allowed there that is cool to hear

Only part of the way is open to bikes, just to be clear.

[the local angler]

oh ok thanks