Mokelumne Wilderness, California, USA

August 2022

Sometimes all we need is a quick overnight trip into the mountains to rejuvenate us for the busy weeks ahead. With the kids adjusting to their first weeks back at school, work demands, and life stressors, Casey and I craved another trip, albeit short, into the beautiful Sierra Nevada. Immersing ourselves into the forest, climbing to rewarding views, escaping the crowds and city noises… this is exactly the medicine we constantly need for our mental health. When all we have is a free weekend, we look for short trips with big rewards that are relatively easy to get to. We opted to explore part of the Mokelumne Wilderness, an area we spotted on the map that was new to us. Located in the Eldorado National Forest, this wilderness area boasts ancient volcanic ridges alongside the more common granitic rocks of the Sierra batholith. Wildflowers bloom en mass during the warmer months, and it is quite a popular destination for photographers and botanists alike. For more details about this area, please visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/eldorado/specialplaces/?cid=fsbdev7_019063.

The drive up scenic Highway 88 is easy, and we opted to explore the Blue Lakes area on this cloudless weekend in late August. In Hope Valley, just beyond Carson Pass, Blue Lakes Road meanders for 20 miles to two lakes that PG&E created by damming the Blue River. There are several popular FCFS campgrounds near the lakes that are managed by PG&E. We left the Bay Area Saturday morning, self-issued permit in hand, and drove the 4.5 hours to the Grouse Lake Trailhead parking area near the dam at Upper Blue Lake.

The trail begins just after crossing the dam, and wanders easily through dense forest of lodgepole and white pine, mountain hemlock, and Jeffrey Pine for a mile or so. As the trees begin to thin out and granite dominates the landscape, the trail climbs gradually for another mile up to scenic Granite Lake. This is a very popular lake for day hikers, welcoming recreational fisherman, picnickers, and swimmers alike. We spotted hoards of baby trout in the shallows next to the trail.

After passing the lake, the trail climbs a low ridge before dropping into several small forested valleys. It then begins climbing again as the trees thin considerably. Be sure to turn around and marvel at the views of the nearby peaks and valleys. After the first short climb you can see Meadow Lake below. A 500′ moderate climb leads to the high point of the Grouse Lake trail as it follows a wide expanse that sits below the ridge. The views along this portion of the trail are outstanding. Here, small groups of white bark pine, sub alpine fir, and western juniper can be found throughout the granite landscape. This late in the summer, there was one spring still actively flowing. The wildflowers clustered along its narrow gully down to Snow Canyon below. Surprisingly, we had cell service the entire time, thanks to being in the line of sight with Mt. Reba to the south (Bear Valley ski resort).

We started our climb down to Grouse Lake, but then decided that we wanted to camp with these amazing views. Thanks to a moonless night, the stars would be amazing and we didn’t want to be down in the forested valley surrounding the lake. Thus, we opted to turn around and camp close enough to the spring so we could get fresh water when we needed it. This would also be an ideal starting point for a hike up to Deadwood Peak in the morning.

We found a flat spot next to a large rock outcropping with a view of Snow Canyon below, and set up camp for the night. Our homemade dinner-in-a-bag was delicious after the long drive and hiking in the sun. The sounds of the babbling creek were barely audible from our perch, but we couldn’t find a flat spot any closer to the water. That evening, the sunset was beautiful and the stars did not disappoint.

Rising early the next morning, we shared a large bag of instant oatmeal, with dried blueberries, strawberries, and banana mixed in as the sun rose over the mountains. We headed up to the spring to filter water, marveling at the late season wildflowers clustered around the creek.

Hiking poles in hand, we then headed straight up the steep slope towards the ridge. The going was a little slow due to the steepness of the loose scree, along with the altitude. Once we reached the crest, it was ridge walking at its finest! We were treated to 360° views of the surrounding peaks: Mount Round Top and Fourth of July Peak rose majestically above Summit City Canyon. To the south, Mt. Reba and the ridge above Hwy 4 were in direct sight, with the peaks of Carson-Iceberg and Emigrant Wilderness beyond. The furthest peak I could distinguish was Tower Peak in Hoover Wilderness, way off in the distance. We signed the summit register at the top of 9846′ Deadwood Peak and ate a snack while soaking in the expansive views.

Heading back, we followed the ridge until an obvious gully led down to the Grouse Lake trail. We broke down camp, packed up our bags, and followed the trail back to our car. It felt nice to soak our feet and wash the dust off our legs near the boat ramp in Upper Blue Lake. Overall, a relaxing ending to a short backpack into the wilderness.

Glacier Peak Wilderness, Washington, USA

July, 2021

Glacier Peak Wilderness is a beautiful and remote area located in the Central Washington Cascades. Dominated by the 10,541′ Glacier Peak stratovolcano, the wilderness area contains deep glacial canyons, colorful lakes, and several popular hiking routes. For this trip, we chose an out and back, mainly due to time constraints and washed out trail reports that prevented us from doing the popular loop option through Buck Creek Pass. We began our trip at the 3500′ Phelps Creek trailhead. The bumpy Chiwawa River forest road out of Cole’s Corner made us glad that we rented a 4WD vehicle at the airport. Since our flight came in mid-day and the drive took several hours, we decided to camp at one of the many walk-in campgrounds along the road. We found the sites at Nineteen Mile Campground peaceful and had the night to ourselves.

The next morning, we drove to the TH and began a nice, 6.5 mile gradual 1900′ ascent to Spider Meadows along the Phelps Creek trail. Spider Meadow is a very popular spot for large group camping, families with kiddos, and backpackers wanting to get an early start up the Spider Gap glacier. The meadow is huge, surrounded by snow-melt waterfalls cascading down steep rock faces, and has a plethora of amazing campsites. Once we crossed the meadow we began the steep switchbacks up to the base of Spider Glacier. Looking down the valley we had just hiked up gave us a feeling of accomplishment, but the climb was only half done.

Now it was starting to get fun! We put on our microspikes and climbed up the snow fields of Spider Glacier. The views were spectacular, and we spotted several wolf spiders in the snow along the way. At the top of 7100′ Spider Gap, we could see many of the peaks and valleys of the Glacier Peak Wilderness area, as well as the beautiful Lyman Lakes below. Below Spider Gap one can descend via the large snowfield on the left or the scree on the right. We opted to hike down the snowfield until we spotted some cairns and use trails along the lower portion of the scree field. The trail is easy to lose and quite slippery; hiking poles came in handy many times. We found the trail alongside the turquoise colored upper Lyman Lakes and hiked a most scenic descent down to milky-white lower Lyman Lake. There were many campsites along this route, along with fields of wildflowers, gorgeous views, and seasonal streams.

From the stream crossing at Lower Lyman, at the intersection of the Cloudy Pass trail via Holden Village, we climbed another 1.8 miles up to Cloudy Pass in search of a scenic spot to make camp. The upper meadows were filled with white pasqueflower and curious marmots. To the SW we had amazing views of Fortress, Chiwawa, and Red Mountains. The mosquitos were plentiful in this area, and despite wearing bug nets and permethrin-treated clothes, we got many bites. We resorted to eating in our tent and brushing our teeth under our head nets that evening.

The colorful sunset and sunrise were breathtaking from Cloudy Pass! We positioned our tent along the ridge to have a view of distant Glacier Peak.

The next morning we decided to hike out to Miner’s Ridge and Image Lake. We took the climber’s route along the scree field to Suiattle Pass to join the PCT for a mere 0.8 miles until the turnoff for Image Lake. This trail was less used and quite brushy, and we enjoyed even more solitude along the way. There was an exciting creek crossing just above a decent-sized waterfall. We chose to soak our feet and wash off in the creek on our hike back. It was fun exploring ruins from an old miner’s camp, but the big WOW factor came while traversing along Miner’s Ridge. The views of Glacier Peak and surrounding valley were spectacular. This was one of my favorite parts of the entire trip. The meadows along the ridge trail were full over wildflowers and butterflies. We opted to eat lunch on some boulders overlooking the valley and heard (then spotted) some fighter jets circumnavigating Glacier Peak itself.

We hiked back to our camp at Cloudy Pass, packed up our tent, grateful the marmots hadn’t chewed their way inside, and descended to Lower Lyman Lake. We decided to push the 3+ miles up to the Upper Lyman Lakes to find a campsite. There were a few groups at each “designated campsite area”, and preferring privacy, we explored the area near the waterfall between Upper and Lower Lyman to find a suitable campsite. The cloudy waters of the upper lakes, due to rock flour from the surrounding peaks, were cold and refreshing. The weather that evening was brisk but the views of the peaks surrounding the lake made up for it.

The next morning, we awoke to very chilly temps and packed up to head out on our final day. We climbed up the glacier above Upper Lyman Lake to Spider Gap and enjoyed the expansive views once again. We had fun trying to glissade on our waterproof jackets down parts of Spider Glacier. It was bumpy due to melting snow and I think my tailbone was a little sore afterwards. We enjoyed soaking our feet in the frigid glacial waters below the snow and took our time packing up after lunch. We then descended back through Spider Meadow and along Phelps Creek to the trailhead and our waiting car. Overall we clocked over 35 miles and over 11K feet of elevation gain for a rewarding destination trip!

Emigrant Wilderness, California, USA

October 2020

We love the Emigrant Wilderness not only for its easy access, but for it’s beauty and remoteness. Like much of the Sierra Nevada, the Emigrant Wilderness is a land of endless granite landscapes carved out by glaciers and water over millions of years. It is a place where the pines, cedars, and firs of the Stanislaus National Forest gradually thin as granite cliffs, mountain tops, and monoliths take over. It goes without saying that we tend to plan our backpacking routes to satiate our craving for adventure. So for this trip into the Emigrant, we wanted to explore several “off-trail” lakes and an old horse camp that we spotted on our trusty Tom Harrison topo map. The contours appeared navigable as we created our custom route on AllTrails.

Starting at the Crabtree Trailhead, the trail climbs gradually up a forested ridge for 2.5 miles to the easily accessible Camp Lake.  If you listen carefully, you might hear cowbells in the distance, as ranchers frequently use areas of the Stanislaus NF to graze their cattle. Occasionally we’ve had the pleasure of running into small herds of forest cattle. They seem a little out of place, but don’t seem to bother anyone. Camp Lake is a popular spot for picnicking day hikers and swimmers alike. Thus, overnight camping is not allowed at this lake due to its popularity.

It is important to note that there are 2 parallel routes into the “middle” Emigrant. Both can be accessed by the Crabtree, Pine Valley, or Bell Meadow Trailheads. The Bell Meadow Trail pretty much parallels the Crabtree Trail for about 14 miles, and can create a variety of nice loops (via connector trails) to explore depending on how much time you have. We chose to start our trip on the Crabtree Trail and return via Bell Meadow Trail for a change of scenery.  Crabtree has more ups and downs and expansive views, as it sits a little higher in elevation, while the Bell Meadow trail follows a canyon, passes sheer cliffs and crosses through Pine Valley full of remnants of past wildfires. Both result in similar elevation changes while offering different perspectives of the terrain.

From there, the Crabtree Trail descends into canyons and climbs ridges, undulating in this familiar fashion for miles.  As we hiked further into the Emigrant, more rock formations began to appear and the crowds thinned. Once the trail descended the first canyon down to Piute Meadow, we turned south on a small connector trail to join up with the Bell Meadow trail. This flat, sandy area trail junction is called Groundhog Meadow.  We peeled off our layers as the temperatures started to rise. Heading east on the Bell Meadow Trail we climbed through a cool forest and descended into another scenic canyon.

We left the official “trail” at West Fork Cherry Creek, venturing south down Louse Canyon.  In the late spring and early summer, the rushing water along the creek creates gorgeous cascades for miles along this canyon.  However, at this time of year, only a few stagnant pools remained. We crossed the dry creek bed and climbed a steep, rocky slope up to beautiful Rosasco Lake.  Here the colors of autumn were starting to show in the foliage framing the lake. 

We followed our route over another rise and eventually navigated our way down the granite terrain to Hyatt Lake for the night.  On the way, I lost count of the many mounds of berry-filled bear scat we passed.  This was alarming but not surprising, and we were prepared with our bear canister full to the brim. 

Being autumn, the water level at the lake was low, allowing plenty of room to set up our tent on the beach and climb onto a rocky outcropping for some great views. We met two other friendly backpackers, who were heading back to their camp on the opposite side of the lake with some freshly caught trout.  Other than that, we didn’t spot any other hikers. The smoky skies made for an amazing sunset and sunrise the next morning.

After a restful night, we hiked up the rocks to perhaps our favorite part of the trip.  We have seen it referred to as the “granite superhighway”: this huge granite bowl between Hyatt and Big Lakes that empties into Cherry Creek Canyon.  We stood in awe of the immensity of the “bowl”. 

After taking a ton of photos that wouldn’t do it any justice, we skirted around the upper flanks to a notch where our route would take us over to Big Lake.  Climbing up the boulders, we were amazed to see horse poop, a sign that they too ventured along this steep path.

We were treated to more bear scat while passing Big Lake, not wanting to stop as we were eager to reach our destination. I would like to go back to enjoy this lake another time, as I hear the fishing is pretty good. Following our GPS, we eventually made our way over to the highlight of our trip: the historic Yellowhammer Camp.

Located 15 miles into the Emigrant Wilderness near Yellowhammer Lake, the existing Yellowhammer Camp was constructed in 1922 by Fred Leighton at the site of an old cow camp cabin from the 1890s. Most of the buildings were made with local sugar pine logs and seemed to be in pretty good shape. They included a few small cabins, a barn, a hitching post, an outhouse, and various dilapidated items.  There were remnants of recent visitors (Aspen Meadows Pack Station leads multi-day horse packing trips out here), but on this day we had the entire place to ourselves.  It was fun exploring the camp in such a remote area and it felt like a mini ghost town!

After spending over an hour at the camp enjoying our lunch, we decided to do a little cross-country navigation over to Pingree Lake.  We headed straight up the granite behind the camp. This required some steep climbing in the heat of the day, but proved to be a fun adventure. With our GPS and good sense of direction, we made our way up to Pingree Lake and enjoyed its cool water as the smoke from nearby wildfires closed in. 

As the smoke gradually began to thicken, we decided to make our way down towards Rosasco Lake for the night.  Donning neck gaiters over our faces, we followed a horse trail down to what we thought was our trail intersection, but we were wrong! We were following cairns that led us away from our destination. Luckily after some backtracking, we found our original route and headed over to Rosasco Lake, only to find a large group of campers with some aggressively barking dogs at the only viable site.  Since we wanted more privacy, we found a small tarn just below the outlet creek and pitched our tent in a clearing. We soaked our tired feet in the cold water and happily ate our dinner.  

Because of the fire ban that summer, we couldn’t use any fuel sources to cook our meals.  This was a perfect opportunity to experiment with cold soaking!  For this evening, we had soaked brown “minute rice” with dehydrated black beans and a little taco seasoning for about an hour.  We then added crushed BBQ bean chips and turkey jerky.  It was surprisingly delicious! After dinner we climbed up the cliffs for a sunset view. The smoke cast an eerie glow to this pic.

The next morning, the smoke had cleared. We decided to venture down the “outlet creek” from Rosasco to see where it led, since it appeared like it drained into Hyatt Lake. After following the creek downstream for 15 minutes or so, we were cliffed out, but we could see Hyatt Lake way off into the distance. We vowed to come back sometime to explore. Once we packed up camp, we began the climb back down to Louse Canyon. 

We enjoyed the different scenery for our return trip along the Bell Meadows trail, and found a few groves of yellowing aspen along the way.  Trail engineers had carved stairs into the granite in a few sections, and we marveled at the high cliffs. We crossed through the charred tree trunks of Pine Valley, which showed hopeful signs of regrowth after a devastating wildfire ripped through there in 2003. It was hot and stagnant in the valley with the lack of shade and vegetation. At the trail junction, we turned north and climbed 500ft up a ridge to the intersection with Crabtree Trail, ultimately making our way back to the trailhead.  Along the way we chatted with a friendly older gentleman who was going out for 2-3 weeks with his fishing gear. Much respect!

Once back at the car, we changed our clothes, wiped the dirt and dust off our bodies with baby wipes, put our sore and tired feet in our trusty Crocs, and headed down the mountain. We clocked over 5000′ of elevation gain and 32 miles over three days. We were proud of ourselves for adding yet another amazing trip to our backpacking memories. 

Hoover Wilderness and Yosemite National Park, California, USA

July 2020

Getting There and Logistics

The Hoover Wilderness Robinson Creek Trailhead, located in Twin Lakes just outside of Bridgeport, is the best access point for this lollipop loop into NE Yosemite. While this route contains over half its miles in Yosemite National Park, overnight permits must be reserved through Hoover Wilderness. This is because the trailhead entry/exit is outside of Yosemite. Any trips that begin/end in Yosemite must be made following national park reservation guidelines. From June 15 – October 15, there is a daily quota for each trailhead for overnight visitors. Bear canisters are required for overnight travel into both Hoover and Yosemite. While traveling throughout any Wilderness area, all rules and regulations must be followed, including fire restrictions. More information can be found at www.fs.usda.gov/detail/htnf/passes-permits/

We made the 5 hour drive from the Bay Area and spent the night at Robinson Creek Campground to help with altitude acclimatization, securing one of the last walk-in sites. Early the next morning, we drove to the end of Twin Lakes and paid the $15 overnight backpackers parking fee at Annette’s Mono Village. Bears frequent the area, so any scented items were stored in our extra bear canister and stashed underneath our car. To access the Robinson Creek trailhead, we walked straight through the campground (there are no signs) along a road with an open meadow on our left. The wilderness trailhead sign is posted next to the fire road after the last campsites disappear.

The Route

Trip Report and Route Description

The wide trail meandered through a forest of large Jeffrey Pine while maintaining a gentle incline before emptying out into a meadow with views of little Slide Canyon and the Sawtooth Range. In about 3 miles, the trail climbed for another mile up easy switchbacks through groves of quaking aspen, until it reached photogenic Barney Lake. This is a very popular destination for dayhikers to enjoy swimming, picnicking, and taking in the views. (Scroll down to check out our photos of Barney Lake from the hike out, as the incoming storm clouds made for dramatic effect!)

After a quick stop to adjust our packs and eat a light snack at the lake, we continued along the right side of the lake towards the beginning of our loop. This part of the trail has full sun exposure, so we were glad to be hiking it in the morning hours. Wildflowers lined the trail and clustered around the runoff creeks, so the going was slow because of all the photo ops!

We crossed Robinson Creek and began our partially shaded climb along the trail, staying within earshot of the creek. 1.5 miles and several switchbacks later, we came to a fork in the trail that would begin our giant lollipop loop over the next few days. We hung a left, gradually climbing just over 1.5 miles to the scenic Robinson Lakes and Crown Lake. The views became more majestic as we neared 11,364′ Crown Point. Colorful wildflowers continued to line the trail, and the clear blue water beckoned our aching feet.

We soaked our feet in the cold waters of Crown Lake then began an intense 1000′ climb over 1.5 miles up to Mule Pass. We had left the crowds behind, enjoying the feeling of solitude on the empty trail. As we climbed, we observed alpine songbirds defending a nest, tiny frogs and fish in glacial runoff creeks, and wildflowers as far as the eye could see. Patches of snow lined the trail the further we climbed. We reached a high meadow, navigated our way across a large flooded meadow, and eventually made it atop Mule Pass.

At 10,470′, Mule Pass is located just below Slide Mountain. This is the boundary of Yosemite National Park. We soaked in the expansive views from the pass, noting our destination in the distance. We had planned to camp in the valley below the Sawtooth Range, but a group of backpackers advised us that the camping near the tarn below the Finger Peaks was amazing. This area was about 4.5 miles further along. It would be a push, especially on our first day at altitude, but we were willing to try! The trail descended through lush pine forest to the base of what I call “upper Slide Canyon” and a beautiful meandering creek. The sounds of running water accompanied us for the remainder of the hike. It was getting late and we were hungry for dinner, so we stopped to boil water and soak our dehydrated meals. We usually start night 1 with our favorite meal to share, the Backpacker’s Pantry Three Sister’s Stew. We lumbered along for another 30 minutes while the food soaked and decided to eat on some rocks overlooking a verdant meadow. The trail disappeared a few times due to some flooding in the meadow, but we eventually climbed our way up to the unnamed tarns below the Finger Peaks. It was windy, so we found a spot to pitch our tent in the shelter of some big rocks and settled in for the night. We woke several times to see the amazing star-scape, including Venus and the moon rising above the Sawtooth Range.

It was a chilly morning when we awoke, so we packed up after finishing a quick breakfast of Poptarts and dried fruit. Even though 10,650′ Burro Pass was only a half mile away, our bodies moved slowly as we sucked air, still not used to the low oxygen at higher altitude. We had been taking Diamox for a few days, but acclimating has always been a struggle for us flatlanders. Reaching the top of Burro Pass, the wind whipped up Matterhorn Canyon and felt refreshing. With Matterhorn Peak directly in front of us, we took tons of photos and relished the views of the canyon.

The descent into Matterhorn Canyon was unreal… it felt like we were in another country. We didn’t see another person in the entire canyon. In fact, it wasn’t until early evening that we saw another human on the trail! We took our time hiking down the 5+ mile long canyon (it was all downhill, after all), stopping several times to splash our feet in the water and cool our knees. Once again, the wildflower displays were fabulous and the cascades plentiful. The day warmed up and by the time we hit the PCT at the Matterhorn Creek crossing in a large, flat meadow, it was downright hot. Thus began our 4.5 mile ascent up Wilson Creek canyon towards Benson Pass. We were surprised to see a plethora of small trout in the creek! The combination of Diamox, heat, and perhaps dehydration (although I was drinking a ton of water and electrolytes) had me feeling quite weak, so after a few miles of switchbacks we lumbered over to the creek to rest. To our delight, we found some great potholes to “swim” in and took almost an hour cooling off in the refreshingly cold water.

We returned to the trail and continued our climb up to 10,140′ Benson Pass. Hungry for dinner, we boiled water at the crest and let our dehydrated food soak for about 20 minutes before scarfing it down on some rocks halfway down the other side of the pass. We reached Smedberg Lake in about 2.5 miles, and set up our tent on a ledge overlooking the water just before dusk. There were several solo campers scattered around the lake, which was to be expected now that we were on the PCT superhighway. That evening, while falling asleep, we heard a small mammal (a weasel or pine martin perhaps?) fiddling with our hiking poles. By the time we got out of the tent it had chewed through the straps and gnawed off the foam handles on 3 of them!!! Lesson learned–from then on we stored our poles inside the vestibules. The mosquitoes were relentless at dusk and dawn, later noting that this was the worst spot for the little blood suckers on the entire trip.

We set out early the next morning and spotted a family of Sooty Grouse (aka forest chickens) on the trail. Instead of following the curve of the trail, we opted for some fun off-trail navigation and ventured toward the outlet creek for Smedberg. It was a little tricky going down some steep granite slabs and required some minor bouldering. However, we were treated to a nice waterfall and the chance to fill our hydration bladders with some delicious water. After chilling in the sun for a bit, we met up with the trail and began a long, steep, and arduous 2000′ descent to Benson Lake. At 7581′, Benson Lake would be the lowest point on our route, not counting the trailhead. Taking the 0.4 mile spur trail to the lake itself led us through a marshy forest full of leopard lilies, butterflies, and (no surprise here) mosquitoes.

Often referred to as “the Riveria of the Sierra”, Benson Lake sports a long sandy beach and gorgeous mountain views. Luckily, we had the entire place to ourselves! We couldn’t help but chill in the sand for over an hour after taking a dip in the icy cold water. We reluctantly left the lake in the afternoon, and climbed steadily in the heat towards 9150′ Seavy Pass. I neglected to fill up my hydration bladder at the tarns along the pass, so by the time we left the PCT and descended down to Rancheria Creek, I was thirsty. We filtered the cool water and emerged into some of the loveliest meadows I have ever seen. It was iconic Yosemite high country, and we couldn’t take enough photos. We took off our shoes for each creek crossing (there were several wide crossings) and enjoyed the feel of the soft sand beneath our feet. Evening was upon us, so we stopped to eat our dinner on some boulders next to the trail. We met a friendly couple who eagerly chatted with us for about 45 minutes about backpacking, gear, trails, and adventures (all the fun things!). We noticed that the light in the canyon was beginning to dim, so we said our goodbyes after exchanging emails and lumbered on another mile or so before leaving the trail to find a good camp spot.

When we woke the next morning, we decided to venture further off trail to peaceful Arndt Lake. We climbed some rocks above the lake and were rewarded with an expansive view of valley containing Rancheria Creek. Instead of making our way back to the trail, we paralleled it by crossing through the meadow, following the meandering creek northward. Eventually we hopped back on the trail, climbed a few hundred feet through a pine forest, and emerged in scenic Kerrick Meadow. Here the trail skirts the fragile meadow for 1.4 miles before reaching a junction with the Barney Lake trail. We took a right and followed an easy path for 1.2 miles to gorgeously picturesque Peeler Lake.

Peeler Lake, located at the boundary of Hoover Wilderness and Yosemite NP, is situated on the Sierra Crest. It is one of few documented lakes that have outlet creeks down both sides of the Sierra Nevada: east into the Walker Basin (Nevada) and west into the Pacific Ocean. There are several designated campsites around the lake, as it’s popular for both fishing and swimming. With Crown Point as a backdrop, this lake is prime for photo ops.

Leaving the lake, we had about 7.5 miles and 2400′ to descend back to the trailhead. Clouds were just beginning to form to the south, and the further we trekked the more they increased in size and intensity. By the time we hit Barney Lake, we could see thunderheads forming in the distance. These puffy clouds made for some amazing photos at the lake. We huffed it out of there, hiking quickly over the final 4 miles as thunder boomed in the distance. Fortunately, we outhiked the storm and made it safely back to our car. We treated ourselves to an indulgent (read: unhealthy) and delicious take-out meal at Annette’s Mono Village cafe: Casey with his cheeseburger and fries and me with a grilled cheese with bacon and tomato and chips. After an amazing trek, our legs were tired, but the trip wasn’t quite over. We drove the 5.5 hours home and arrived just before midnight, immensely proud of ourselves for completing another adventure in the Sierra!

Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Washington, USA

August 2019

Often referred to as the most beautiful place to backpack in the Pacific Northwest, The Enchantments in the Central Cascades’ Alpine Lakes Wilderness is a collection of breathtaking, blue-green glacier-carved lakes that dot the high alpine landscape for miles.  Reaching this otherworldly scenery requires advanced hiking skills, scrambling over boulders, and lots of endurance.  At 18 miles, this through-hike can be done in 1 day but it is not recommended.  Between May 15-Oct 31, permits are required for any overnight camping in any of the 5 Enchantment areas and can be obtained from the Leavenworth Ranger Station via lottery starting in February, or in-person.  More information can be found here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/okawen/passes-permits/recreation/?cid=fsbdev3_053607

To complete this as a through-hike, if you have the luxury to you can use 2 vehicles, leaving one at your endpoint TH and driving the other to your starting point.  Alternatively, there are private shuttle services that run out of the city of Leavenworth. We used the Leavenworth Shuttle service, which met us at the Snow Lakes parking lot at 6am and drove us up to the Stuart Lakes TH about 35 minutes later, at the cost of $40 for 2 people and sparing us almost two thousand feet of elevation gain.  The Enchantments can be approached two ways: via the long, gradual 5000′ ascent of the Snow Lake Trail, or the shorter, steeper ascent out of the Stuart Lake trailhead.   We chose the latter, mainly because, while the ascent is much steeper (1900′ in less than 1 mile up Asgard Pass), the overall elevation gain would be nearly 2000′ less than starting at Snow Lake TH.

It is important to note that this wilderness area is entirely run by the Forest Service. The trail is not maintained like the trails you would find at a national, state, or even county park. Thus, it is quite easy to lose the trail once you are out of the forest. Please download a GPS map prior to this hike and pay attention to the cairns in the higher elevations (although at times there are cairns all over the place due to hikers creating their own routes). We consulted our GPS map throughout the 2 days we spent on the trail to make sure we were headed in the right direction.

Our hike began as a gradual ascent through lush forest in the crisp, early morning sunshine. At the first trail junction, we veered left and up the Colchuck Lake Trail as the scenery began to open up around us.  Colchuck Lake is beautiful, and an excellent place to camp if you are unable to get permits for the Core. 

After precariously crossing a large boulder field at the southern foot of the lake, we started our sharp and very steep ascent of Asgaard pass.  This is where we donned our knee braces,, changed into shorts, and packed away our hiking poles.  It was helpful to have our hands free, as several sections of the ascent require scrambling.  It is very easy to lose the trail here, because cairns are scattered everywhere.  Pick a line and follow it up, staying to the left of the outlet creek as it tumbles down the mountain side. While ascending, be sure to stop and take photos, admire the view, and keep an eye out for mountain goats along the way. Towards the top of the climb we crossed the outlet creek at the base of a few small waterfalls.  Once the 1900′ climb is over, you will be rewarded with breathtaking views of Colchuck Lake, Dragon’s Tail, and the surrounding peaks.

With the uphill scramble behind us, we took our time exploring the barren landscape of the upper Enchantment Lakes basin. The scenery was reminiscent of California’s High Sierras, with numerous glacier fed lakes and streams flanked by tall granite peaks. Tranquil and Isolation Lakes dominate the upper basin, connected by many small streams and waterfalls. We found a snow field to “ice our sore knees” in, as well as a chilly stream to soad our tired feet.

The rest of the day was spent meandering mostly downhill, roughly following Snow Creek past countless clear, blue-green lakes and deciduous Larch trees. It is in this basin that we wished we had days to explore, in order to fully take in the beauty of this place.

Lake Viviane was the last of the Enchantment Lakes that was visible from the trail. With Prusik Peak looming above, it is a sight to behold. Once we crossed Snow Creek, right above the waterfall, we began our rocky descent down to Snow Lake where we had an overnight camping permit.

After spending a restful night at Snow Lake, we followed the trail for 8 miles at a consistent decline through a few boulder fields, lush mountain meadows, and thick forest all the way to the trailhead.

Glacier Peak Wilderness, Washington, USA

July 2019

Express Tips:

• Bring a camera, the views and wildflowers are incredible
• The weather is volatile, prepare accordingly
• Prepare for brown/black bears in the area
• It is best to have high-clearance, but you don’t need 4WD to get to the trailhead

The Glacier Peak Wilderness backcountry is off the beaten path, which makes exploring this gem even more rewarding. With 450+ miles of trails, you are sure to find an adventure to suit your needs. The valleys are steep, the wildflowers abundant, and the views are amazing.

You can start this destination hike by flying into the Seattle airport. We flew in on a Friday on Southwest Airlines. When we fly with Southwest we take advantage of our companion pass. https://www.southwest.com/air/booking/index.html

The drive to the trailhead from the airport was about 100 miles and close to three hours. The town of Lake Stevens was our last stop before driving through the mountains to the trailhead.

Our plan for the first night was to hike in about 6 miles and stay at the Mackinaw Shelter Campground. The hike was typical for Washington: thick forests of Western Red Cedar, Douglas Fir, and Hemlock sprinkled with abundant creeks. Although the trailhead parking lot was nearly full, we didn’t see many people on the trail.

We set up our camp next to the North Fork Sauk River in the Mackinaw Shelter campground. We decided to stay at this campground because we started later in the day and it is at the base of a steep 4-mile climb up to White’s Pass. Falling asleep was easy with the white noise from the river just outside our tent. We kept our bear canister away from camp for the night. We also hung a bear bag this first night because of extra food and toiletries; it was difficult to hang here but not impossible. There are other camping options closer to the trailhead at Red Creek (4.6 miles) and after the climb at White Pass (10.4 miles, popular with PCT through-hikers).

We knew it was going to rain that night and the next day and prepared our camp accordingly. We decided to place each of our packs in large garbage bags under our vestibules to keep them dry.

In the morning there was a very light rain, as expected. We packed up camp, prepared for the rainy day ahead.

Not too far out of camp, the incline started. The grade was manageable, but not easy. Most of the time the trail is under tree cover, occasionally opening up for views of the mountains ahead and the valley below. On this day, the skies were full of mist and fog, so our views were slightly obscured.

Close to the top of the ascent to White’s Pass the steep alpine meadows make their debut. Entering the meadows and leaving the tree cover behind was one of my favorite moments of this hike. Here the beautiful wildflowers and peaceful alpine meadows are the starts.

Just below the ridgeline, we connected with the Pacific Crest Trail or PCT for about 10 miles. We frequently find ourselves on this trail and have never been let down, as it always delivers an amazing experience. This was no exception…. the PCT delivered.

The next half mile on the PCT contained many spring-fed water sources that flow down the steep mountains into the North Fork Sauk River. I would suggest getting water here or at the White’s Pass campground because most water sources on the ridge for the next few miles are stagnant ponds and pools.

The next 9 miles on the PCT were wonderful. The views of the valleys below and mountains above were nothing short of amazing. The wildflowers were abundant, especially the fields of purple mountain lupine. Our views expanded as the skies cleared and the sun came out. The trail undulated up and down hills and ridges as we passed several springs. Just past Dishpan Gap, where the Bald Eagle Trail branches to the left and skirts around June Mountain for 4 miles, we chose to take the shorter and more technical High Route, up and over the steep ridge and down to Blue Lake for our second night of camping.

We found a secluded spot at the western edge of Blue Lake and set up camp for the night. There are several campsite options around the southern edges of the lake as well. The crystal blue water surrounded by lush greenery was absolutely breathtaking and perfect for taking photos. Blue Lake is the last reliable source of water until you return to the North Fork Sauk River, so it’s best to fill up here. The overnight temperatures were cold, but the skies were clear and full of starts. Thanks to the previous day’s rain, our gear was still damp in the morning when we set off for Pilot Ridge and day 3 of our trip.

The skies were clear when we set off for Pilot Ridge, making for excellent long-distance views of the surrounding peaks. The trail climbed and then followed the ridge for miles. We could see Mt. Rainier and the Wenatchee Mountains, as well as the Cadet and Pride Glaciers below Monte Cristo Peak.

After taking in the views for several miles, the trail dips back into thick forest and begins a brutal descent of 4000′ over just 5 miles. We donned our knee braces and lengthened our hiking poles to help ease the impact. At the bottom of the climb, the trail crosses the North Fork Sauk River over a downed log, then meets up with the river trail for a few miles until you reach the parking lot.

The Island in the Sky district is the most visited district in Canyonlands Nation Park, although you may have this trail to yourself. This area is located at the northern end of Canyonlands National Park, about a 45-minute drive from the town of Moab, Utah. Due to their accessibility, many trails in this district are crowded. If you crave solitude, then it’s best to choose a trail that descends from the rim of the Island in the Sky down towards the White Rim Road and river canyons beyond.

We began our out-and-back hike at the Lathrop Trailhead, which was located 2 miles past the Island in the Sky Visitor Center near a small sign. There were plenty of roadside parking spaces available at the trailhead, with enough space for 10 to 12 vehicles.

The trail began uneventfully. We traversed soft sand across the mesa for 1.5 miles, which is typical of hikes found above the rim in the Island in the Sky district.

At around 1.75 miles, the views open up and you can see over the rim and into canyon country.

At this point, the trail varies between soft sand and sandstone. The sand is perhaps 2″ to 3″ deep at points and was noticeably more difficult to walk in. Some of the sandstone in this section has colorful patterns similar to what you might see at “The Wave” in Arizona.

At about 2.25 miles the route along the shelf to Lathrop Canyon is more evident. The trail descends to the first shelf below the rim, and the route can be seen hugging the shelf to the south. The views of the canyons, the Colorado River, the white rim, and the trail hugging the shelf were some of my favorites of this route.

The trail hugs the first shelf below the rim for the next .75 miles before descending into Lathrop Canyon. This section boasts great views of Canyonlands. The trail winds around a point and then back towards Lathrop Canyon. If you are afraid of heights you may want to turn back at this point. We always felt safe here, as there was an adequate distance between the trail and the shelf’s drop off.

The trail descending into Lathrop Canyon was not easily distinguished from other sections of the canyon on the shelf. Pay close attention to the cairns to follow this section of the trail. The descent follows a steep rock fall and looks almost like it would be too hard to go down. You may ask yourself, “Am I crazy for going down this?” The trail down does look difficult, but it is safe and perhaps better digested piecemeal.

The descent is about 1800 feet in a third of a mile. There are many switchbacks and while the grade is steep, there was nothing that required any technical climbing skills or equipment.

About a third of the way down the rocks, we were happy to give our knees a break when the trail turned into a more moderate grade. The trail continued to level off, and the canyon views opened up. On both sides of the trail, we could see the remnants of uranium mines, a throwback to a time prior to this area being designated a National Park. In another .6 miles we eventually descended all the way to the bottom of the canyon and found mud, but no water. We continued a little further and noticed interesting rocks along the trail overlooking the bottom of the canyon.

We continued about another .6 miles and decided not to hike all the way to the White Rim due to time constraints. Instead, we continued along a mesatop ridgeline to enjoy the solitude and views, then eating lunch before we started our journey up and out of the canyon.

It goes without saying that the journey back up the 1800′ in a third of a mile was more difficult and time-consuming than coming down, but it was all worth it.

We hiked the 3 miles back to our car, retracing our steps along the shelf and onto the plateau, though with a different perspective looking out into the afternoon light of Canyonlands this time.

The Needles District is located in the southeastern corner of Canyonlands National Park, about a 90-minute drive from the town of Moab, Utah. Often less crowded than the more accessible Island in the Sky District, this area is a fun place to explore on foot. The Needles contains fascinating red rock formations made of Cedar Mesa Sandstone, many of which are accessible by hiking trails and 4-wheel drive roads.

We began our loop hike at the Elephant Hill Trailhead, which was located at the end of a scenic bumpy access road just beyond Squaw Flat Campground. The dirt and gravel road did not require a high-clearance vehicle. The Chesler Park Trail climbs slightly over slickrock, then levels out while passing the Chesler Park Overlook, which offers amazing views of the Needles and the La Sal Mountains to the north. Travel 1.5 miles and then at the next two trail junctions, choose the trail to the right and follow the signs towards Chesler Park. At the third trail junction, take the short trail to the left that heads directly into the Chesler Park Loop and make sure to take in the views behind you. The official Chesler Park Loop begins about 2.5 miles from the trailhead at Elephant Hill.

We decided to hike the 5-mile loop counterclockwise after reading several trail reviews. The views in Chesler Park were amazing, which made for a really fun and rewarding experience. Chesler Park itself is like a large meadow that is surrounded by tall red and white sandstone spires. Hiking counterclockwise, the trail climbs in and out of washes, over slickrock, and is generally downhill until it reaches a sandy 4-wheel drive road. We hiked on the road for 0.4 miles, taking care to keep to the left at the fork. This spur road leads back to the loop trail after a half mile, which will take you through The Joint section. We were surprised to see an outhouse and picnic table at the end of this spur road, as they were not on the map.

The Joint was a super fun section of the trail that squeezes through narrow cracks that form a deep ravine in the rock. One very short section required a scramble up an old log, and it was helpful to have a partner to lend a hand.

After exiting The Joint, we admired more views of Chesler Park under blue skies lined with jet streams from passing planes. Continuing counterclockwise, there were several designated backpacking campsites along this portion of the trail. You can apply for overnight permits here https://canypermits.nps.gov/.

We decided to add a side trip to Druid Arch, so we took a 0.8 mile connector trail to the Druid Arch Trail. The connector trail was really cool, as it provided some awesome views of the surrounding spires, and as a bonus we had the entire trail to ourselves.

Meeting up with the Druid Arch Trail was like merging onto the freeway. This popular trail follows the dry, sandy and rocky streambed of Elephant Wash for a total of 3.4 monotonous miles. Fortunately, at this junction we only had 1.8 miles to the arch. There were a couple of sketchy scrambles up some slickrock pour-offs, and one section near the end of the trail that utilized a metal ladder and some re-bar. These sections could be dangerous in wet or icy conditions. In the end, the crowded trek was worth the view of Druid Arch.

After taking in the immensity of the Druid Arch, we turned around and followed the trail for 3.4 miles through the wash, past the junction to Squaw Flat, and on to the junction of the Chesler Park Trail. At this point, we took the trail to the right and continued back to the Elephant Hill Trailhead, enjoying the afternoon scenery.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA

November 2018

The Grand Canyon, boasting majestic scenery and jaw-dropping views, is home to world-renowned backpacking and hiking trails. This natural wonder of the world has been a National Park since 1919.  Thought to be about 6 million years old, due to recent findings geologists now believe that the canyon was formed about 17 million years ago.  The oldest signs of human civilization found at the park are Paleoindian artifacts that are about 12,000 years old.  The region has been continuously habituated since that time by 11 different Native American tribes.  The Grand Canyon region is also home to 24 endemic species (both wildlife and plant life), as well as 8 endangered species, most notably the California Condor (if you are lucky you might spot one near its nesting site on the south rim).  The climate is mild and receives little precipitation. 

By far the most impressive aspect of the Grand Canyon is its geologic history.  Thanks to the Colorado River slowly cutting its meandering course through the earth over millions of years, we have an unprecedented view of cakelike layers of different rock formations.  Each layer tells a complex story of what life on earth was like when that layer acted like the Earth’s crust.  While erosion played a huge role in forming the Grand Canyon and its side canyons, tectonic shifts, like that of the Bright Angel fault, are also responsible for the constant evolution of this beautiful canyon.  To learn more about the fascinating geology of the Grand Canyon, please follow this link https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/nature/geologicformations.htm.

You can start this destination hike either by driving or by flying into Las Vegas, Phoenix, or Flagstaff airports.  We decided it would be best to fly into Las Vegas because of the great rates on flights and hotels. We flew into Las Vegas on Southwest Airlines on Friday morning.  https://www.southwest.com/air/booking/index.html

After picking up our rental car, we were happy to leave the smoke, lights, and sounds of Sin City.   We drove about 5 hours through the arid landscape via the old Route 66 to make it to our clean and unpretentious hotel, The Grand Canyon Plaza in Tusayan: https://www.grandcanyonplaza.com/. We were up at 5 am, drove 15 short minutes to the Grand Canyon Visitor’s Center parking lot, and were at the bus stop by 5:45 am.  We took the Orange Route bus to the South Kaibab trailhead.  Armed with headlamps, our boots hit dirt at 6:15 am!

The South Kaibab Trail is very well-maintained.  We were impressed with the feel of the trail (soft dirt, very little rocks or scree), and our knees thanked us later.  The trail follows a ridgeline and provides awe-inspiring views of the canyon the entire way, making it one of the most scenic hikes we’ve ever encountered.  The slope is consistent and not too steep, however, we both used a pair of hiking poles throughout the descent.  This trail has no shade and no water sources.  We were surprised at the sight of  2 solar-powered pit toilet facilities along the trail, one at Cedar Ridge and the other at Tipoff.  For pit toilets, these are again very well maintained and clean inside.  Our descent, we stopped several times along the way to film the sunrise, take scenic photos, eat snacks, and stretch. Once we reached the Colorado River, we entered a small tunnel then crossed the Black Bridge to the other side of the canyon.  From there it was a short, nearly-flat traverse to the Bright Angel Campground and Phantom Ranch.  The entire descent took us 3 hours. 

For an excellent resource on the South Kaibab Trail, including a trail description, please follow this link:   https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/upload/south_kaibab_trail.pdf

After taking a 45-minute rest at Phantom Ranch, we started our ascent to the South Rim via the Bright Angel Trail. 

The Bright Angel trail is considered to be the safest and most well-maintained trail at Grand Canyon National Park.  Highly popular with hikers and mule trains alike, this trail boasts many water stops, covered rest houses, and solar-powered pit toilets. There is a campground and a ranger station about halfway down at Indian Gardens. Because this trail follows the Bright Angel faultline (essentially forming a large crack-like canyon that perpendicularly intersects the Colorado River formed Grand Canyon), the views along the trail are framed by dominating cliffs.  This trail is shadier and has more plant life than the South Kaibab trail.  Thus, the Bright Angel Trail is very crowded with hikers and backpackers. We encountered day hikers, multi-day backpackers, and casual hikers that ventured down from the rim for a mile or two.  We were never quite alone on this trail, even in late November.

After crossing the Colorado River via the Silver Bridge, the trail remains fairly flat, with little elevation gain, while it follows the river for a while.  We had some nice views of the rapids along the way.  Once we turned up into the side canyon formed by the Bright Angel fault, our climbing began.  The majority of our ascent was in the shade, and the temperatures were quite cool when the wind picked up.  The uphill grade is steady until shortly after leaving Indian Gardens.  The last 3-4 miles of the trail are steep, seemingly endless switchbacks that climb up the side of a cliff to the rim.  There are 2 rest houses along the way if needing shelter from the elements.  We stopped many times for snacks and photos along the way, so the entire ascent took us 5 hours. 

For an excellent resource on the Bright Angel Trail, including a trail description, please follow this link: https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/upload/bright_angel_trail.pdf

Here is a gallery of some of the best shots we took with our iPhones

Olympic National Park, Washington, USA

October 2018

The Olympic Peninsula is one of the greenest and most majestic places on earth. Its treasures are well hidden by the miles of trails it takes to get to the center, and at 1,442 square miles, you could take a couple of days to drive around the circumference of the park. The area has been recognized as a National Park by Congress since 1938 making it 80+ years old. The park is home to deer, Roosevelt elk, black bears, and non-native mountain goats. The climate is considered a temperate rainforest that receives approximately 56 inches of precipitation per year.

You can start this destination hike by flying into the Seattle airport. We flew in Friday on Southwest Airlines. When we fly with Southwest we take advantage of our companion pass. https://www.southwest.com/air/booking/index.html

We picked up our rental car at SeaTac and took a ferry across Puget Sound from Seattle to the Olympic Peninsula. Taking the ferry to Bainbridge Island was a treat. The views of Seattle and the ferry experience were well worth the cost of the trip at less than $20. For more information on the current fares see http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/fares/.

Once on Bainbridge Island, we drove 1 hour and 15 minutes to Sequim, WA, the base town for our trip. We stayed at the unpretentious and clean Great House Motel. The two biggest factors in finding this hotel were its low price and the reviews stating it was clean. For more information on the Great House Hotel, see https://www.greathousemotel.com/.

We arrived late at the hotel but had time to unpack and prepare the day ahead. We woke up at 6 am to drive the last 1 hour and 30 minutes to the parking lot of the Sol Duc River trailhead. When we arrived that morning the parking lot was almost empty, with a few backpackers’ cars here and there.

The trail conditions were excellent. One issue with the trail is that it’s easy to miss the turnoff to the Deer Lake trail right after Sol Duc Falls. Make sure to follow the signs that go towards the Lover’s Lane trail and back towards the parking lot on the opposite side of the Sol Duc. From there you’ll find the trail signs indicating the turn uphill to Deer Lake.

After the falls it is 2.5 miles uphill to Deer Lake. The climb is very gradual for the most part, but quite rocky. All along this trail and at Deer Lake there were many nice-looking backcountry camping spots. For more information on backcountry camping see https://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/wilderness-permits.htm.

Deer Lake is a great place to take a break, enjoy a snack, take a selfie, or maybe even go for a swim if the weather is warm enough. The lake also appears to have fish and many hikers take fishing poles up to the lake. Bear tracks can be seen in this area, though we haven’t seen a bear here.

This is where you can split off to either the Little Divide or the High Divide trails. We choose the High Divide trail this time, as it was later in the season with less snow probable at the higher elevations we’d encounter. The climb continues here, but this also where things start to get exciting. In just under .5 miles from Deer Lake, you will start to notice a more sub-alpine environment. The fir trees thin and open meadows award you with amazing views. After another mile or so, the Olympic mountains peek out from the various ridgelines surrounding you. After continuing eastward up the ridge, you will see the Seven Lakes Basin spur trail (to Lunch Lake). We had our sights set on summiting Bogachiel Peak for lunch, so we continued past this junction. However, many backpackers make camp in the otherworldly Seven Lakes Basin (spoiler alert: there are more than 7 lakes in the basin!)

Continue up the trail, which hugs the side of the steep slope before it breaches a saddle. As you turn the corner, there is a small pine tree signifying that you will soon see a treasure of the park, Mount Olympus. When we turned that corner we both were astonished and excited. We gazed upon its majesty and greatness.

Shortly after the first breathtaking view of Mount Olympus is 5,446′ Bogachiel Peak. The peak offers 360-degree views that include the Olympic Mountains, the Bailey Range, the Seven Lakes Basin, and the Hoh River Valley. We sat on the peak for lunch and took several photos, also spotting a single black bear down in the basin from this vantage point.

The High Divide continues for 1.8 miles looking over the Hoh River Valley and the majestic Olympic Mountains. This was my favorite part of this trail; it was the treasure that I had come for and it was better than what I expected. If you are going to come to Olympic National Park this is the best way to see it.

We made our way down to Heart Lake towards the Sol Duc River Trail. This lake lives up to its name. The campground here has a pit toilet, and the lake is a nice spot for a snack break.

From here it’s 7.5 miles downhill back to the trailhead parking lot, descending roughly 2800′ at a gradual grade that wasn’t too hard on our knees. We returned to the cool, lush forest of old-growth Douglas Fir and crossed over the Sol Duc River on a narrow wooden bridge. We were greeted by a herd of Roosevelt Elk closer to the Sol Duc Falls trail intersection.

For an excellent resource on the High Divide Trail, including a trail description, please follow this link: https://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/high-divide-loop.htm