The Water Tank Hike at Fishhawk Lake
By Monica Mersinger
Nancy Jasper and myself, are planning to hike and map the trails around
Fishhawk Lake this summer. You can follow along with our adventures and
learn about the interesting trails around our lake community.
 |
| Trail: |
Water Tank Hike |
| Length: |
about a 35- 45 minute hike at a slow pace, one way |
| Difficulty: |
This is a climb uphill at steadily increasing grade |
| Condition of trail: |
Expect mud year round, some debris to traverse near the slide area above Lake View Drive. |
| Beginning point: |
Lake View Drive (slide area) |
| Destination: |
The Fishhawk Lake community water tank |
|
Return: |
Either park your car at the end of Northshore Drive on the opposite side of the bridge;
turn around and go back the way you came; or walk down Northshore Drive into the community. If you leave a car,
be sure you lock it up and take out your valuables!
|
|
This hike, in the direction we took, is a steady uphill climb to the water tank for our community ascending
and following the ridgeline to the water tank.
It took about 30 to 45 minutes in one direction at an easy pace.
It is slick and muddy in some spots all year long. But, it is a cool, beautiful hike even on the hottest day.
 |
 |
| This trail steadily climbs |
Slide Area |
We began the trail from Lake View Drive. The trail begins with the drama of the slide up the
canyon, showing how much material came down onto Lake View Drive. You have to fumble your way
across lose logs and debris for just a couple of steps, then the soft earth trail begins again.
As you ascend, the trail widens.
Oregon Iris photo
It is a steady climb with glimpses of the lake and community among the trees.
The wildflowers were still giving a beautiful show including Buttercup Ameones and the
rare Oregon iris. Hillsides full of green ferns looming above in dappled sunlight.
 |
 |
| Hillsides of green ferns |
The Arches |
About 2/3rds of the way, you come to what we call the "arches", alder limbs bowed under the
weight of moss and time make a natural trellis under which you journey.
Brief glimpes of the island can be viewed along the trail but the main feature of this hike
is the foliage and the forest.
Can you see the water tank just ahead?
Even with less than 20 feet between us and the water tank we couldn’t see it for
the trees and the tanks green color! The tank is the original, from the 1960s,
still storing our drinking water. There is a plaque on the tank when it was installed.
We thanked it for its service. After we examined the tank, we looked at the view
from the point over to the community’s island and took the car back home.
Your destination!
We left around 11:20 am and arrived at the water tank around 12:15 pm.
Map of our route