Photo Friday: Alpine Lakes Part 3

A couple of weeks ago I started with the first two days of this 8-day, 65-mile excursion. Last week we covered three more days, into the heart of the wilderness--and the thick of the smoke. 

Today we pick up with Day 6. 

Naturally, I had hoped to wake up to clear skies. Alas, that was not to be my fate. I began my 3400' descent in smoke as thick or thicker than ever. 

 As with rainy weather, the smoke forced me to shift my attention to the closer details.

I spent some time studying and photographing the texture of this long-dead snag.

I was more excited about what I heard and saw a moment later.

Ptarmigan. There were several trotting around (don't break your brain hunting; there's only one in the photo).

The day's hike spent a lot of time in old burn areas. They can be a little bleak, but were also the only places that there were wildflowers.

Fireweed and (I think) yarrow.

Eventually I dropped down out of the burn and into Lemah Meadow, or as close as the trail comes. I think there is an actual  meadow farther up the valley as the sign suggests; the PCT just runs through the woods. It was nice to be in undamaged forest, but the smoke was worse in the valley. I was glad I'd camped up high the night before.

From the second stream crossing (the one that's indicated on the sign above as having the bridge out), I began the 2300'+ climb to Spectacle Lake. I believe I have mentioned before that this "Crest" trail spends a lot of time climbing in and out of valleys, right? Part of that climb was through another burned-over area. And remember, that haze isn't fog or mist. It was a hot and smokey climb, and I began second-guessing my decision to stick it out.

Halfway up,  the trail crosses Delate Creek, which drains out of Spectacle Lake. The map says there's a trail to the lake from here, which would dodge 3 or 400' of climbing, but I never saw it.

The cool spot by the falls attracted a lot of hikers taking breaks. Good trail chats, and a generous (and over-packed) hiker gave me a couple of life-saving Snickers Bars.

I visited Spectacle Lake sometime in the late 1980s, and remembered it as gorgeous. That hasn't changed, even when viewed through a smokey haze.

The only thing I didn't like about this view was the smoke. Well, the smoke and the 200' drop to the lake.

Because the lake is a ways off the PCT, through-hikers mostly don't go down there. They're missing out. I took my time and found a campsite that was both somewhat sheltered from the wind, which had picked up, and had good views.

I was fairly early so I pretty much had my pick of campsites, and time to do laundry.

The wind wasn't wholly pleasant, especially at bath time, but did offer hope for a change in smoke conditions. It also made it possible to finally wash my pants and get them dry before bedtime. That made me happy.

About dinner time a couple of families moved into a site not too far from me, and wandered over my way for an extended photo session. It was a bit in my face, but also entertaining watching the kids enjoying themselves. I am always glad to see people getting their kids out backpacking.

One of the campers took my picture for me while I enjoyed my dinner.

The day ended with some hope for a change, and also with nice light thanks to the smoke (happy to trade that for clean air, don't get me wrong!).

I have too many photos to finish the trip in this post, so I'll stop here... with just this teaser for what I saw in the morning.

Day 6 stats: 9.7 miles, 2330' up, nearly 3600' down.

Apropos of kids backpacking, did you know. wrote a backpacker's ABC picture book, A Is For Alpine? The photos were taken by myself or my late husband, and the little hikers are our children, so it's been a while!

A fun ABC book for outdoor kids and their parents, A Is For Alpine is meant to help children (and their parents) imagine themselves hiking, camping and backpacking.

 

©Rebecca M. Douglass, 2023

 As always, please ask permission to use any photos or text. Link-backs appreciated.

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