Needless to say, we love it up there.
The morning of August 11th, 2010, on what would have been my maternal grandmother's 91st birthday, Trevor, Grammy Pammy and I set out to visit the Ice Lakes. It had been a couple of years since our last trek up the mountain, and we were all looking forward to exploring the upper basin (a place we hadn't been to since 2007 because of heavy rain and lightening).
At the trailhead, the skies were sunny and we were all optimistic. But by the time we reached the Ice Lake/Clear Lake trail fork at the waterfall, thunder cracked and we were all forced to take cover in the trees while a torrential hailstorm soaked us from above.
Grammy Pammy at the the waterfall at the Crater Lake split in 2007
Why we didn't give up and head back down at that point is a mystery, but for whatever reason we decided to continue in the direction of the Lower Basin. Everyone else seemed to be going the other way, and we got more than a couple questioning looks from fellow hikers headed back down the mountain.
Our progress was slow. The rain made the trail slippery and we had to stop several times in the trees to wait out particularly heavy downpours. But we finally made it to the lower basin around lunchtime that afternoon. Except for a couple of campers, we had the lower basin to ourselves (judging by the number of people we passed on the way up, the lower basin must have been quite crowded earlier that morning).
Since we were now above the timberline, I insisted we stop, eat a snack and watch the weather. The last thing I wanted to do was get caught in was a thunderstorm in an exposed meadow on top of a mountain.
After a morning of soaking rains, however, the skies seemed to be clearing. So, taking a chance on the weather, we made a break for the Upper Basin. The entire time we were prepared to turn around and make a mad dash for the trees at the opposite end of the Lower Basin if a threatening cloud appeared over the top of U.S. Grant Peak. But - wouldn't you know it - we made it!
Inside the cabin at Fuller Lake in 2007
Trevor and I have explored most of the Upper Basin over the years. We've taken temporary shelter in the old cabin at Fuller Lake, and spent hours trying to capture the breathtaking beauty of the somewhat isolated Island Lake.
Overlooking Island Lake in 2007
But, for whatever reason, Trevor and I had never ventured around or up passed the upper Ice Lake. It seems like an obvious destination, but the trail up into the basin between Vermillion and Golden Horn Peaks wasn't well defined or traveled. The view from above the upper Ice Lake was absolutely worth it, though, and I only wish the weather had held out long enough for me to travel up even higher. Alas! Something yet unexplored for next time!
Here are a few pictures from the hike. Enjoy!
Here comes the rain...
The Lower Basin...
The clouds starting to lift...
Lovely...
My mountain man...
Sitting on the rock where Trevor proposed on August 5th, 2008...
Grammy Pammy and her favorite son-in-law...
I absolutely adore this picture of Gypsy...
The hike to the Upper Basin...
Grammy Pammy had only been in the altitude for 48 hours at this point.
What a trooper!
What a trooper!
Finally. The Upper Basin.
Perfectly clear and blue...
Trevor and Alley from the far side of the upper ice lake...
REAL mountain dogs...
Grammy Pammy and Trevor...
Grammy Pammy walks tall and carries a big stick...
Miss Bang Bang...
Grammy Pammy at 12,500 feet...
Taking in the view with my babies...
Grammy Pammy and Schnitzel...
It just doesn't get much better than this...
Rock fall down. Go boom.
Can't get over the size of these mushrooms!
"Poopies"
(Because they are pooped. Get it?! Hehe...)
(Because they are pooped. Get it?! Hehe...)
3 comments:
Wow, that is so gorgeous! What a great place to have been proposed to!
Your photos are absolutely BREATHTAKING! Wow! I didn't even recognize "Proposal Cave" without the rain but it looks like you all had an amazing time. Miss you guys and the "poopies!"
NICE!! Would love to see it in person, the pictures never do it justice. Y'all should come with us to Jackson Hole next summer... maybe Aunt Mary would babysit while we go play!
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