(Continued from the last page.)

This cairn marks the "portal" to the hanging alpine valley:

 

I turned around about a quarter mile past this little pond after stopping to eat a sandwich, wander around taking pictures, and let Cody swim without his pack: 

 

 

Long patch of snow in the hanging valley

If I could still run, I could have gotten higher than this today.  <sigh>

The "hanging alpine valley," as it is described in the CT guide, looked much different to me today with all the snow. It's a different kind of beauty than when it is full of pretty spring flowers and little lakes from melting snow. Marsh marigolds, Parry's primrose, and other alpine flowers will be popping up as soon as more snow melts.

It could easily be called a "hanging garden" then. Right now it's still a winter wonderland for the next two miles south and west up to Rolling Mountain Pass.

These three photos are to the east:

 

 

 

INBOUND PHOTOS

The return to Little Molas Lake campground was faster because I had a net elevation loss of a little over 1,000 feet in 8.3 miles. That doesn't mean it was all downhill; the trail undulates most of the way.

I took the remaining photos on the return.

You'll notice an increasing number of clouds in the west -- toward the hanging valley and Rolling Mountain-Twin Sisters range of peaks -- as the day wore on.

Back at the portal and ready to go down (not really ready, but we needed to get going).

 

We'll be making a wide arc on this side of Bear Mountain.

 

 

 

 

 

I saw very few people on the trail today, which surprised me.

I mentioned the two cyclists early this morning, who turned around less than two miles up the initial climb because of the mud and snow below Grand Turk. I must admit it was nice not having to get out of the way of any crazed mountain bikers.

I saw only four day hikers; they were all going outbound when I was coming back. After seeing the cyclists in the second mile, Cody and I had the whole place to ourselves for about five hours.

Looking back as clouds start coming in from the west

 

 

 

Great view to the east (Snowdon Peak and the Grenadier Range)

Other than squeaky marmots, the only animal we saw was a large deer in one of the wooded areas:

 

More photos on the next page . . .

Happy trails,

Sue
"Runtrails & Company" - Sue Norwood, Jim O'Neil, and Cody the Ultra Lab

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© 2011 Sue Norwood and Jim O'Neil