Post by GaliWalker on Feb 26, 2017 14:54:46 GMT -8
Hike #10, in my personal Top-10 (this was by far the most difficult one to add to the top-10, since it faced stiff competition from a bunch of other trips)...
Top-10 hikes:
10: Lake Ida – Lake Edna loop (Washington)
9: Chesler Park and Druid Arch (Utah)
8: Presidential Traverse (New Hampshire)
7: Half Dome (California)
6: Pea Soup Lake (Washington)
5: Grand Canyon (Arizona)
4: Enchantments (Washington)
3: Nanga Parbat bc, Fairy Meadows (Himalayas)
2: Snow Lake (Karakorams)
1: Concordia and K2 basecamp (Karakorams)
Lake Ida – Carter Lake – Lake Edna loop
Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Washington (7/26/2008)
Two years ago I had visited both Lake Edna and Lake Ida, on separate trips, using the Chatter Creek trail. I had thought then about a loop connecting these two lakes – finally, this trip happened. Glorious meadow walking, with a couple of my favorite lakes thrown in to put the icing on the cake...but I really had to work for this one.
Knowing that I had a long day in front of me I was up early. 5:00am had me at the Icicle Road barrier, still an annoying 1.75mi shy of the actual Chatter Creek Trailhead, because of a landslide that had diverted the Icicle River onto the road.
The Chatter Creek trail was its usual steep self. I made good time though and was at the Chatter Creek crossing before I knew it. Then, it was goodbye to the Chatter Creek trail (for a good long time) as I traversed over to gain the lip of the talus-strewn valley, just one ridge over from the Chatter Creek basin. About an hour of steep talus hopping later I reached the beautiful, precious basin at the head of the valley - my favorite part of the section to Lake Ida.
Without much time to linger I headed over to the high point of the ridge (and the trip) guarding Lake Ida. The views were superb from this vantage point high in the sky: serious mountains/meadows overload! ...And all capped by really, really beautiful Lake Ida. The setting is just gorgeous: Big Lou, a gentle, grassy slope to the east; Mt Cashmere, across the valley to the south; the lush Painter Creek Valley stretching off to the north. The lake is no slouch either: flowery, lush green surroundings on one side and granite slopes ringing the other.
I spent about 20min at the lake, before embarking on the next section of the trip: down into the Painter Creek Valley. Big Lou's steeper side rose high on my right while gentler slopes rose up on my left. Snow-melt streams kept me company as beautiful meadow-walking had me at not so beautiful Carter Lake.
Then began the 'spot the trail' game, as I picked up the Icicle Ridge trail and headed westward. Pretty (though squishy) meadows, flowers galore and larch groves were my companions, as I crested a saddle above Carter Lake: for me, the most beautiful part of the Icicle Ridge trail to Lake Edna. A garden of flowers gentled my footsteps, while the full-on views of jagged Snowgrass Mountain took the breath away. Far, far off in the distance I could see Cape Horn; somewhere beneath which lay Lake Edna, my final destination.
First though, I began the long, brushy 1,500ft descent into the densely forested Index Creek Valley. Not very inspiring hiking had me at a 4,850ft low point, where I crossed Index Creek and gratefully resumed upward progress towards more fragrant pastures. A short while later I was out of the trees to bask in the gorgeous views of Big Lou and Big Jim Mountains. Floating on air, I intersected familiar territory and the Chatter Creek trail to Lake Edna. I hurried over to greet Lady Edna, that most aloof, but all the more intriguing, of the Mormon Lakes. Best of all, I had her to myself.
In her own perplexing way Lady Edna was most welcoming. A cold wind blew through the small rocky area...but this only kept the mosquitoes and other flying beasties away. The shores and hillocks ringing the lake were as barren as ever...but also as smoothly curvaceous as always. Cape Horn rose sternly above me...but the views of Big Lou and Grindstone Mountain from its slopes were a stunning backdrop for the lake. I love this lake!
After spending about 40min at the lake, I was ready to head back. Vending my way past some snow patches I headed back along the Chatter Creek trail. A final short climb signaled the end of any more significant elevation gain as I reached the saddle overlooking the Chatter Creek basin. I enjoyed the awesome views of Cashmere Mountain and Mt Stuart in the distance, as well as the cliffs of Grindstone Mountain of course, and headed down into Chatter Creek basin. The rest of the journey was a miserable slog on protesting legs, but the smile on my face could not be stricken off.
Stats:
- Elevation gain: 9000ft (High point: 7,300ft)
- Distance: 25mi (including a 3.5mi road walk)
- Hiking time: 13.5hrs
Top-10 hikes:
10: Lake Ida – Lake Edna loop (Washington)
9: Chesler Park and Druid Arch (Utah)
8: Presidential Traverse (New Hampshire)
7: Half Dome (California)
6: Pea Soup Lake (Washington)
5: Grand Canyon (Arizona)
4: Enchantments (Washington)
3: Nanga Parbat bc, Fairy Meadows (Himalayas)
2: Snow Lake (Karakorams)
1: Concordia and K2 basecamp (Karakorams)
Lake Ida – Carter Lake – Lake Edna loop
Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Washington (7/26/2008)
Two years ago I had visited both Lake Edna and Lake Ida, on separate trips, using the Chatter Creek trail. I had thought then about a loop connecting these two lakes – finally, this trip happened. Glorious meadow walking, with a couple of my favorite lakes thrown in to put the icing on the cake...but I really had to work for this one.
Knowing that I had a long day in front of me I was up early. 5:00am had me at the Icicle Road barrier, still an annoying 1.75mi shy of the actual Chatter Creek Trailhead, because of a landslide that had diverted the Icicle River onto the road.
The Chatter Creek trail was its usual steep self. I made good time though and was at the Chatter Creek crossing before I knew it. Then, it was goodbye to the Chatter Creek trail (for a good long time) as I traversed over to gain the lip of the talus-strewn valley, just one ridge over from the Chatter Creek basin. About an hour of steep talus hopping later I reached the beautiful, precious basin at the head of the valley - my favorite part of the section to Lake Ida.
Without much time to linger I headed over to the high point of the ridge (and the trip) guarding Lake Ida. The views were superb from this vantage point high in the sky: serious mountains/meadows overload! ...And all capped by really, really beautiful Lake Ida. The setting is just gorgeous: Big Lou, a gentle, grassy slope to the east; Mt Cashmere, across the valley to the south; the lush Painter Creek Valley stretching off to the north. The lake is no slouch either: flowery, lush green surroundings on one side and granite slopes ringing the other.
I spent about 20min at the lake, before embarking on the next section of the trip: down into the Painter Creek Valley. Big Lou's steeper side rose high on my right while gentler slopes rose up on my left. Snow-melt streams kept me company as beautiful meadow-walking had me at not so beautiful Carter Lake.
Then began the 'spot the trail' game, as I picked up the Icicle Ridge trail and headed westward. Pretty (though squishy) meadows, flowers galore and larch groves were my companions, as I crested a saddle above Carter Lake: for me, the most beautiful part of the Icicle Ridge trail to Lake Edna. A garden of flowers gentled my footsteps, while the full-on views of jagged Snowgrass Mountain took the breath away. Far, far off in the distance I could see Cape Horn; somewhere beneath which lay Lake Edna, my final destination.
First though, I began the long, brushy 1,500ft descent into the densely forested Index Creek Valley. Not very inspiring hiking had me at a 4,850ft low point, where I crossed Index Creek and gratefully resumed upward progress towards more fragrant pastures. A short while later I was out of the trees to bask in the gorgeous views of Big Lou and Big Jim Mountains. Floating on air, I intersected familiar territory and the Chatter Creek trail to Lake Edna. I hurried over to greet Lady Edna, that most aloof, but all the more intriguing, of the Mormon Lakes. Best of all, I had her to myself.
In her own perplexing way Lady Edna was most welcoming. A cold wind blew through the small rocky area...but this only kept the mosquitoes and other flying beasties away. The shores and hillocks ringing the lake were as barren as ever...but also as smoothly curvaceous as always. Cape Horn rose sternly above me...but the views of Big Lou and Grindstone Mountain from its slopes were a stunning backdrop for the lake. I love this lake!
After spending about 40min at the lake, I was ready to head back. Vending my way past some snow patches I headed back along the Chatter Creek trail. A final short climb signaled the end of any more significant elevation gain as I reached the saddle overlooking the Chatter Creek basin. I enjoyed the awesome views of Cashmere Mountain and Mt Stuart in the distance, as well as the cliffs of Grindstone Mountain of course, and headed down into Chatter Creek basin. The rest of the journey was a miserable slog on protesting legs, but the smile on my face could not be stricken off.
Stats:
- Elevation gain: 9000ft (High point: 7,300ft)
- Distance: 25mi (including a 3.5mi road walk)
- Hiking time: 13.5hrs