Rob Westmoreland

Jun 28, 2020

Robert Westmoreland backpacker

Between 2003 and 2006 I took my 2 sons who were between 10, and 14, as well as my brother who was 13 to 16 , and my father who was in his early sixties , every Father's Day , 4 years in a row. to Heart lake. The first 3 years were among the best trips we ever experienced. We had backpacked in the Trinity Alps, the Easter Sierra, and mostly in the Lake Tahoe area. The reason for our excitement for always returning each year to heart lake was the fishing. Our first 3 years we were able to easily catch our dinner each night and release what we didn't need. Our first year my sons were able to wear out a couple trout in the creek nearby, they were able to catch them with there bare hands. On our 4 trip to Heart lake. (This was the same year they suspended stocking fish in remote lakes) we saw no sign of any fish. Nothing at all. We had packed in an inflatable boat but didn't even get a bit the 4 days we were there. We wondered if the lake froze deeper than it had previously, or if we ourselves had taken to many fish in our 3 previous trips. We had been recommended this hike from the Lassen park Rangers when asked were the best fishing in the park was. There answer was go to Heart lake. It's a shame that we haven't been able to plant fish in the wonderful lake for all the fathers and sons and daughters to create these lasting memories.