This is Saddlebag Lake, where we begin...
Behind this lake are many more lakes so the name "Twenty Lakes Basin" makes a lot of sense. We probably saw close to half of them BUT, gentle reader, this trip was not about marathon lake bagging...or fishing...or even about the hike itself. This trip was all about the newbies (ages 6 to 40 somethin') who trusted us to take them into the wilderness for two nights of first-time backpacking and bring them back safely (more or less) so that they might tell their tales in the glow of a future campfire.
They persevered through a massive electrical storm*, eye searing blue skies, a Scree Slope of DOOM and 1.4 miles of treacherous, uneven ground that laughed at them as they hauled in heavy packs with just WAY TOO MUCH stuff.
Onward to the pics shall we?
They persevered through a massive electrical storm*, eye searing blue skies, a Scree Slope of DOOM and 1.4 miles of treacherous, uneven ground that laughed at them as they hauled in heavy packs with just WAY TOO MUCH stuff.
Onward to the pics shall we?
Day 1: Parking Lot to Greenstone Lake
Day 2: Let's go hiking!
That night there are no clouds, just a bajillion stars and the Milky Way, shown here....smeared on a 5 min exposure.
Day 3: Pack it up and go home!
Lunch was at the local hot spot - Lobster taquitos and ceviche!! There was a pitcher involved and sadly some biker butt that I couldn't get out of the shot...
* The massive electrical storm was actually serious stuff. We were sleeping above 10,000ft in the relative safety of rolling terrain under taller peaks as the storm rolled right over us. Bolts of lightning illuminated the sky and were so bright you could see it through your eyelids. You didn't have to hear the thunder that followed...you could feel it!
Backpacking in this type of weather is not new to me or Greg, but for a bunch of folks from LA (i.e. "...it must have rained because there are dirt spots on my car...") they all took to it exceedingly well. Proud of you guys!!
Backpacking in this type of weather is not new to me or Greg, but for a bunch of folks from LA (i.e. "...it must have rained because there are dirt spots on my car...") they all took to it exceedingly well. Proud of you guys!!