Post by panatomicx on Aug 26, 2023 7:07:05 GMT -8
Still cloudy and a bit foggy starting out, we followed the drainage up to Lake 10,794. Around the West side heading to Lake 10,813, one of our favorite spots. There was a bit of a narrowing, but Tim scouted out a route up and over to another top 10 site. Bits of sun, and a nice greeting by Mr. and Mrs. Marmot. Elephant head off in the mist.
Had to pack up in the rain the next morning, I managed to keep my sleeping bag and stuff dry. There is a really cool waterfall on the way up from the Lake, we would have lingered if not for the weather.We came to a raging stream, which would have been a problem to cross. But then we saw a much easier crossing further down. Made it to Island Lake, and set up on another pretty lawn. We were resting in the tent, as it was still a bit drizzly when we heard a friendly voice. It was a helpful ranger, who suggested we pack up and find a nicer place to camp. Or we’d be ticketed. Apparently we were too close to the trail, (in her view). We actually did find a better spot on a rise a bit farther in. Two friends from Oregon were also ejected, and we invited them to share our spot.
Illegal spot at Island Lake
Legal spot
It was clear in the morning, 12 miles back to Elkhart. There are a bunch of climbs on the way though, I was tiring a bit and we made the call to stop at Hobbs Lake. Hobbs was a little town, but we managed to find a pretty scenic spot.
Fully recharged now, we flew down the trail on our last day. Sunny, a nice walk out. You see glints of chrome through the trees, and that’s it. The parking lot. We did our cheer, and drove back down to Pinedale. Got sandwiches at Obo’s deli, and had lunch in the park. Shower, another dinner at the Brewery, sitting on chairs, not rocks. Nine days out, but we were able to take our time. Tim and I were a great team.The Marys Lake-Cook Lake-Wall Lake-Indian Basin section was fabulous, even with the wet weather. I was very pleased that I was able to complete the loop as planned. The Winds always deliver.
Had to pack up in the rain the next morning, I managed to keep my sleeping bag and stuff dry. There is a really cool waterfall on the way up from the Lake, we would have lingered if not for the weather.We came to a raging stream, which would have been a problem to cross. But then we saw a much easier crossing further down. Made it to Island Lake, and set up on another pretty lawn. We were resting in the tent, as it was still a bit drizzly when we heard a friendly voice. It was a helpful ranger, who suggested we pack up and find a nicer place to camp. Or we’d be ticketed. Apparently we were too close to the trail, (in her view). We actually did find a better spot on a rise a bit farther in. Two friends from Oregon were also ejected, and we invited them to share our spot.
Illegal spot at Island Lake
Legal spot
It was clear in the morning, 12 miles back to Elkhart. There are a bunch of climbs on the way though, I was tiring a bit and we made the call to stop at Hobbs Lake. Hobbs was a little town, but we managed to find a pretty scenic spot.
Fully recharged now, we flew down the trail on our last day. Sunny, a nice walk out. You see glints of chrome through the trees, and that’s it. The parking lot. We did our cheer, and drove back down to Pinedale. Got sandwiches at Obo’s deli, and had lunch in the park. Shower, another dinner at the Brewery, sitting on chairs, not rocks. Nine days out, but we were able to take our time. Tim and I were a great team.The Marys Lake-Cook Lake-Wall Lake-Indian Basin section was fabulous, even with the wet weather. I was very pleased that I was able to complete the loop as planned. The Winds always deliver.
