SCT Day 8 - Tin Hat Mountain to Fiddlehead Landing

Views of Haslam Lake as we descend Tin Hat, SCT British Columbia

What comes up must come down was the theme of the day. Our knees screamed at us as for hour after hour we twisted and wound our way down fiddlehead mountain through roots and rocks and switchbacks.

he remembrance of the sunset views in 360 degrees kept us from any regrets. The people we met on the way up were trying to remain calm as the sweat dripped off their faces. Down is definitely easier cardiovascularly, but down is very taxing on the knees and joints as the muscles pulls and grips under the strain of the pack and each step is carefully chosen to avoid slipping and sliding on the dry footing.

The terrain was narrow on the switchbacks and we passed several tight overgrown spots that had us checking for bears. We saw several berry filled piles of scat, but never any hints of a bear on the trail with us. Many people were carrying bear bells and bear spray in their packs, but we couldn’t seem to justify the weight with zero stories online or in person of anyone actually being bothered by a bear.

As we arrived to the base of the mountain our pace dramatically increased and we found ourselves eager to get to Fiddlehead Landing, take off our packs, and watch the lake. Fiddlehead was squeezed tightly along the shoreline and we were surprised to see a floating house along side the landing intruding on the privacy and the view.

According to Canadians, until about 15 years prior people could lease water space from the provincial government and float a house on the lake. They created a log breakwater which is simple and line of logs extending in front of the home to stop the rough water causes by winds picking up. It was a curious scene, and one I can’t imagine Americans being ok with disrupting the beauty of the lake, but nevertheless it was a learning experience. Boaters would rush out if Powell River on speed boats, pontoons, and jet skies for their weekend getaway.  

We found that the floating house took away from the wilderness experience.  Even when you could not see the floating house you could hear the people talking, children playing and the generator running.  None of which was wrong, they had every right to be their and were not being obnoxious in any way.  It just did not feel like wilderness to us.

We found once again we were the first on site hikers and set up a camp in the shelter since there were no camp pads and the dry conditions had everything covered in dust.   The shelter was much smaller and we did not notice any mice which was plus.  After an uneventful evening we headed to bed and got an early start in the morning.

The Fiddlehead landing hut, SCT British Columbia

Looking out at Lake Powell from Fiddlehead Landing, SCT British Columbia