Glacier Lake Plus

What with vacations and guests and such, only 3 of us turned out for the 8 AM hike.  With the heat beating down already, we decided to go high to somewhere where the water was, if we needed it.  Starting at Grouse Ridge we decided to go to Downey Lake and then cross-country to Glacier Lake trail trying to land somewhere near the confluence with the route up Sand Ridge.  Through the wonders of technology, we were only a few feet from the trail.  We had climbed boulders and avoided brush for the most part.  Then we headed up the sand ridge morraine among gardens of mule's ears, coreopsis, heather, delphinium, paintbrush, lilies, etc.  We were enchanted all the way and it continued at the top.  The air blew cool and we could see the view all the way to Lassen and the surrounding peaks.  At the top lake of the 5 Lake Basin group, we headed up to Glacier Lake.  There, we saw other people for the only time that day.  There were two groups of church youth campers. 

Black Buttes

Not content to call "uncle" we decided to explore after lunch.  We worked our way around the lake and up to the first snowfield.  Crossing below it, we climbed the talus and scree to a pass in the Black Buttes.  It was slow going but the outcroppings of brand new ferns and challenge of the climb made it lots of fun.  We were rewarded with the most stunning view from the top. 

Sierra Buttes

View from Black Buttes

As we worked our way down, we realized the kids had gotten out of the lake, were sliding on the big snowfields, and then they decided to also go up the peaks.  As we were walking out big rocks were tumbling down as the boys inadvertently loosened them in their descent.  Hope they all survived. 

View from Black Buttes

Glacier Lake down below

In a move not caught on video, I received a dunking in the first tarn we came across.  Attempting to wet my scarf to keep cool for the 2 hour walk back, I leaned out too far, doing a slow roll into the tarn.  Peter says my roll was slowed because my pack was partially opened, scooping up water as I went over.  Standing up in the tarn I could feel the water seeping over my boot tops.  We had to invert the pack to get most of the water out, squeeze out a few things, take apart the camera and cell phone, which amazingly still operate.  As I squished and dripped down the trail, I stayed cool. 

Once again the mosquitos were out in droves as  we wended our way through beer-ad meadows in the very late afternoon/evening light.  We had hiked 9.5 miles, not particularly speedily but some of it cross-country.


Full of mosquito repellent and sunscreen, we decided going all the way home instead of stopping at a restaurant was the best bet and even so, after cleaning up and doing chores, dinner was at 9.



 Since flowers seem to be in abundant supply, we are talking about doing the meadows on the side of Basin Peak - not decided yet about which route - possibly over Castle Peak shoulder to Basin or staying lower where those meadows are.  We will not be here the 25th, (Peter's 70th!!) but back the following week with more in mind: Lola?, PCT to Benson?, Frog Lake Overlook and beyond towards Warren Lake?, Blue Lake trail all the way to Bevis Lake (we looked down on it from Black Butte ridge)?, out to Sand Ridge Lake beyond Peter Grubb hut?  All these ideas are in the 9-12 mile range and are best with an early (8AM) start.  All those who are interested, meet us at 8AM next Wednesday.