Tranquility and serenity, those are the best descriptions of a visit to Soapstone Lake.
It is a relatively easy hike – – – three miles roundtrip with 475 feet of elevation gain. The area lies on the west side of the Coastal Mountains about 13 miles from Seaside.
Last year in May there were literally hundreds of newts along the trail. This year I spotted two.
Fresh elk tracks gave evidence that I am not the only one who enjoys the Lake.
With barely a wisp of a breeze the surface of the Lake was like glass.
Salmonberry
Reflections in the Lake
Footbridge leading to open meadows
Margined White Butterfly
Wood Sorrel with its distinctive shamrock leaves
Rough-skinned Newt on the prowl
Red Elderberry
Soapstone Lake
Tranquility is something I am always looking for…because I need it!
Beautiful photos and I love the quaint log footbridge.
There is something about the Coastal Mountains that brings me back again and again.
Fabulous pictures as always.
Enjoy the Newts while you can for amphibians are dying off the world over. Caused by many factors, including telephone ultraviolet-B radiation (UV-B).
The little lake was chock full of newts. Unlike last year though, they were not wandering the trails.