Reflections on Little Cranberry

Reflections on the water
like shadows in my mind
speak to me of passing days and nights
and passing time
 
The falling leaves are whispering
that winter’s on its way
I close my eyes remembering
the warmth of yesterday
               -- John Denver, Fall
 
As a friend and I hiked around Little Cranberry Lake, there was a kind of a hush across the forest and lakeshore, a pause, a silence as the curtain falls on the summer scene, autumn stepping onto the stage.

We walked out onto the viewing platform, where we saw dramatic clouds floating above the lake, reflected back by the water as identical twins. Ducks dabbled in the dark shallow waters in the distance.
We sidetracked up to the bat cave and entered cautiously, letting our eyes adjust. The faint glow of a flashlight brought us to the back of the cave, from where we could just make out a hint of light from the entrance.

Trail 102 follows the eastern shore, through the blackened trunks of firs still standing solid after the 2016 fire, protected by their thick sheath of bark. New growth carpeted the understory. This lakeshore trail feels like piano keys, up and down, over and around roots and rocks. Sunlight dappled through autumn leaves hanging on to their branches.

A monstrous tree had laid down its body into the lake like a promenade on a pier. We dared each other to walk out, but hedged our bets by leaving our phones and cameras behind “just in case.” Dragonflies hovered and fluttered above the emerald grasses and mosses gracing the shoulders of this fallen giant. Not a breath of wind stirred the waters.

Trail 132 along the south shore is almost hidden by dense underbrush, and even more challenging for its rocks and roots. The air was silent, still. Above us we saw ducks and turtles and body parts in the cloud shapes which were reflected on the water below. We turned north on Trail 101 following the west side of the lake, a somewhat more tame pathway. Eventually it led to the open bedrock meadow. A madrone spreads its three arms to the sky, silhouetted by the blue waters of the lake.

A breeze kicked up, and tired leaves floated down to their final resting place. Reflections in the lake looked more like impressionistic paintings now, suggesting the forest and sky above with the broadest of brush strokes. We sat and reflected on the last time we had hiked here, and of the broader brush strokes of earlier life stories that eventually brought us to here and now. In our reflections back we can see forward with greater clarity and new perspectives.

We got back to the parking lot without ever seeing anyone else on the entire trail. Looking back over Little Cranberry, the skies had cleared, the breeze now softening, the reflections giving a clearer picture of the lakeshore once again. Our hike, full of talks and times of reflection, took us nearly two hours to cover the two miles of trail. We felt refreshed and uplifted by all we experienced, and reflected on the wisdom of this community to have set aside these lakes and forests for now and forever.

The sunlight will be changing quickly now, as it rises later, sets earlier, and struggles to climb very high into the sky. Cold rains are in the forecast for the rest of this week. Today was the last day of sun and warmth and lake-water reflections, at least for a while.

Hikes can be fun and adventurous in any weather. But days like this -- the clouds reflecting softly on the water, the sun sparkling and bright -- will be treasured in the coming weeks and months when we sit on our sofas listening to the stormy winds and steady rains of the seasons of darkness.

jack

Directions: To get to the parking area at the north end of the lake, take Highway 20 into Anacortes, following the signs leading to the San Juan Ferry. As you go west on 12th Street from Commercial in Anacortes, it becomes Oakes Avenue. Look for Georgia Avenue on your left. Go up Georgia Avenue three blocks to the almost-hidden entrance to the Little Cranberry Road which in a quarter mile takes you to the north shore of the lake, with parking for several cars. Other access points include 29th Street near the south end of the lake  and the A Avenue entrance near 41st Avenue, south of the south end of the lake.

By Bus: Skagit Transit 410 which goes to the San Juan Ferry can take you to Oakes Avenue not far from Georgia Avenue. From there it is a half mile walk to the lake.

By Bike: follow the directions for vehicles. The shoulder is wide enough for bikes. The climb to the lake from Oakes Avenue is somewhat steep, but only a half mile.

Mobility: from the parking area at the north end there is a gravel, fairly wide trail along a short stretch of the north shore. It becomes more challenging the further you go, but the overlook platform is not very far.