The drive along the windy Mirror Lake Hwy is uneventful except for a couple of Sandhill Cranes I pass near the road.
I head directly to the trail head trying to get an early-sh start. Just trying to beat the crowds.
It's sunny and 60 degrees at the Pass Lake Trail head at I start in the counter-clockwise direction around 8:30. (Counter-clockwise is steeper but gets you to the lake faster.)
The trail heads through pine forest.
The dappled sunlight shines on many flowers including a Purple Daisy, a few Paintbrush, and lots of Parrot's Beak.
Looking good!
I reach the first lake, Picturesque Lake. This is a small lake.
And then continue on to the larger Scout Lake (aptly named for the Boy Scout camp on the other shore). Lovely flowers along the shore.
After passing Scout Peak, the trail leaves the forest into a more rocky terrain. This is where majority of the elevation is gained.
I stop several times to look around because the views just keep getting better the higher I climb.
And to spy on a chipmunk.
Before I crest and start heading over to Lofty Lake, I have to take once last look behind me at Hayden Peak.
Then it's a short flat walk through some pine (the mosquitoes are buzzing here) and then I get my first view of Lofty Lake.
Then it's down hill to the lake. Along the way, I hear a Pika but cannot find him.
There doesn't seem to be any one at the lake - although I do hear voices. (The voices are a scout troop hidden in the trees. I watch them leave while I rest at the lake.)
Tons of flowers along the shore line including the same Purple Daisies from the forest and Bistort.
The lake is crystal clear as one would expect from a high elevation lake.
I head along the shoreline to the opposite end. Then head over to the opposite shore as there's a nice boulder with my name of it.
From the boulder, I watch Frits, Whites and bright yellow Scudder's Sulphurs fly and a hummingbird nectar on Paintbrush.
I also see a peach-colored Paintbrush - stands out among all the red ones.
After a bit, it's time to finish the hike - majority of the mileage is yet to come.
After passing the lake, I make my way through another flower filled meadow.
where I find a very battered Two-banded Skipper
From here it's the switchbacks that have the most amazing views of the valley and Cutthroat Lake below.
I pass through yet another flower-filled meadow (with not many butterflies - must be past peak season) where Elephant Head
and Mountain Gentian are blooming.
and then start the long rocky downhill descent to Kamas Lake. Got to watch the footing here - lots of ways to twist an ankle or worst.
I reach a very beautiful Kamas Lake
Passing behind the dam
where a Purplish Copper is hanging out.
And once again continuing the downhill descent.
Trying to watch my footing and the flowers but I slip up (literally) and roll my ankle. Ouch! Fortunately, I can stand and walk (gingerly) - it's a long and slow ~1.5 miles back to the trail head. Down the rest of the hill and then east along Reid's Meadow -- featuring Bald Mountain (left) and Reid's Peak (right).
And a Purplish Frit.
Thankfully back at my car, it's time to end a perfect day (minus the rolled ankle).
On the way back down the Mirror Lake Hwy, I'm behind 5 other cars when a deer waits for those 5 cars to pass and walks across the road right in front of mine. Good thing I have new brakes!
My hiking is unfortunately on hold for a week or two (hopefully not more). Dr found no new breaks on the very swollen, bruised and hurting left side of my ankle (only old ones). But they did find what could be a fracture on the right side. But without any pain and swelling on that side, they've chose to treat as bad sprain for now. Here's hoping for just a bad sprain. Now I have to find something to entertain myself on the next couple of week-ends. :)
