Day 3. Enchantments 10.0 miles


Well hello there!!!

Wowza, today was so awesome! Woke up around 6:00 this morning and about 15mins later, the sun felt like it rose in a matter of seconds! Everyone hustled to make sure we were ready to hit trail no later than 8:00. We knew we had a big day ahead of us! The first mile and a half was super steep and varied. A lot of granite scrambling and a little route-finding.


6:14am


6:15am (first light)


Paul filtering some morning water


Claire, Paul, and Megs 


Michael, Nick, Megs, and Davey


Claire tackling a steep section 

The trail continued in its steep trajectory, eventually popping out of the forest and into a huge open granite hillside. After we climbed waaaay up and then dropped around a cliff side, we felt a huge wind and then popped out at Vivian Lake. It’s safe to say this one blew us away.






From foreground: Claire, Paul, Michael, Nick, Megs, and Davey


Snow lake (our campsite) in the distance on the left, waterfall drainage from Lake Vivian on the right! 


Lake Vivian



After crossing the lake drainage above the waterfall, the trail led super steep on the outer edge of a cliffside! I was a little ahead of the group and thought I saw a mountain goat on a ledge above me. I scrambled up what I thought was just a bunch of rocks but actually found out was the actual trail!




Claire got this awesome shot of this big guy

While everyone was checking out that first goat behind me, I climbed up the steep trail and poked my head over the next ledge and to my surprise was greeted with this little guy:


Just a warning, about 1/2 of the pictures you are about to see will be of mountain goats. They are so cool! 

The trail kept climbing up and around all these gorgeous lakes surrounded by granite against a clear blue sky. I hadn’t witnessed continual beauty like this since I was hiking through the Sierra Nevada in California! Buckle up for a lot of pics! 


Nick (the one who scored the ticket lottery) Thanks for the invite bud! :) 


I’d say 1/2 of the adult goats we saw were accompanied by little kids. 


Lake Vivian in the foreground and Snow lakes (our campsite) in the background


Leprechaun Lake


Favorite picture of the day! Take by Davey at Leprechaun Lake

Everyone except Victoria embarked on this day hike today. Unfortunately, she was having severe back pains. :( At Leprechaun Lake, Davey decided to hang back while the rest of us 6 pushed on towards Aasgard Pass, as to not leave his love alone at our camp all day! What a sweet man! Feel better Vicky!! 


Goats for...


Daaaaaaaays!!


Leprechaun




Nick tackling one of the many log crossings of the day, while Megs watches on secretly hoping her love falls into the water :) (Paul got his feet wet on this one)


Megs, Paul, Michael, and Nick 






There were so many lakes that many didn’t even have names! At least on the map.


I like little flowers that grow out of granite cracks. Great contrast! 




A goat family!


There always has to be that one weirdo in the family..


Inspiration Lake


Claire at Inspiration Lake. She also happens to be MY inspiration! ...(ok, cheeseball...)


Looking down at Crystal Lake








Goats forever! 


Paul and Mr. Goat

We kept climbing and climbing, tired at times but simply amazed by all the surrounding beauty, and glad to not be in bad mosquitos all day. We all had Aasgard Pass (at 7,800 feet elevation) on the mind as our goal.


Made it :)


Beautiful peaks on both sides with Colchuck Lake way over a mile below


Mr. Goat hanging with our crew



What could Claire be so stoked about eating one might ask? Well, let me tell you:


Ramen-Bomb!!

We took our camp stove up with us as to not run out of snacks and have a rewarding meal at the top of the Pass. Today’s menu: Maruchan Noodles with Herb and Butter Idahoan Potatoes, and Dill Salmon. Yuuuuuum! To top it all of, Nick and Megan shared some of there Philippine sweet dried mangoes for dessert! :) After a VERY satisfying meal, we decided to head back down. Michael, with his unlimited amount of energy, decided to push on farther to a summit to the right of the Pass. With the rest of us itching for a swim because of the hot hot hike, we decided not to keep climbing.


Different views on the way back down


Can you see the desert in the far back?


Daaaaaww!!!

We now interrupt our regular program for a breaking update about Claire’s mosquito bites:


OUCH!

As we were headed back, I realized that I wouldn’t make it back to camp in time to jump into Snow Lake AND get my hair dried before bed (since the lake loses light at 6pm and my dreads need direct sunlight to dry). I decided to jump into an inviting (freezing) body of water (sitting at 7,100ft elevation) on the way down instead! I later found out, it’s name was Perfection Lake! Perfect! 












Brrrrr!!

After I got out, I realized there were a BUNCH of mosquitos, and told Claire to go on without me while I dried my feet to get my socks back on. I told her that if all my blood gets sucked out of my body and I become a limp, lifeless vessel, to tell my mom I love her! 




Vivian Lake


Headed back to camp!



I caught back up with the others, and Claire and I were the first back to our lake. We got there at about 5:45 and decided to take advantage of the last bit of light. We went out into the lagoon peninsula in the last speck of sun. I got in up to my neck and Claire went all the way under! We dried out and enjoyed our dinner at the waters edge. It’s been a super long day and everyone is pooped! Looking forward to a day at camp tomorrow to swim and just relax! 

Thanks for reading! 

















Comments

  1. Dona ZavislanAugust 7, 2020 at 9:00 PM

    Those goats are so cute. No kidding, lakes everywhere. Love that sunrise shot.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sarah T.August 15, 2020 at 11:39 PM

    With the exception of the mosquitoes it sounds like a most perfect day! Such beautiful shots. I think I enjoyed the shots of Leprechaun Lake most.
    All those shots of Mountain goats had my fingers itching! I wanted to grab a dog hair brush and run after them all - excuse me Mr.Goat you seem to have missed a chunk...hold still and lemme get that for you!! Where are you going?!? No, I'm not crazy!! Just thorough!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. David TeeheeAugust 20, 2020 at 11:21 PM

      My OCD definitely kicked in with the one with only ONE PATCH LEFT!! Hahaha “Come here!!” (chases with stick)

      Delete

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