Talus Slope and High Water Mark at Palmer Lake

Palmer Lake is located in a deep glacial carved valley on the east side of the North Cascades. 

Chopaka and Palmer Between Lightning Strikes by Lisa McShane

A paved county road provides access to the east side of the lake. The road traverses a bit of steep talus at the southeast end of the lake. The road cut into the talus and possibly mining of the talus to build a part of the road has created a bit of an angle of repose problem that periodically needs tending. 

Ravel and sliding of loose talus has progressively expanded up the slope

It appears that periodically a rock from high up the slope has enough momentum and perhaps a few bounces to get across the road.

Rock blocked by guard rail from reaching the lake

The arrow on the above picture is pointing to the 1972 high water level of the lake. During spring floods, the Smilkameen River sends water into Palmer Lake from the north. I suspect that ice blockage on the river could do the same thing on a periodic basis. The May floods this year were not as high as 1972, but did cover the road in several places and left a signature of drifted debris along the edge of the road and did a modest amount of erosion along the road shoulder.

There was some truck traffic. One large orchard is located on the glacial sediments on the east side of the lake and apples were being harvested.