24 replies to this topic

[iceberg]

There was a hike in Wild Basin I'd been wanting to do for some time. I had been to Bluebird Lake multiple times & had always explored up the Junco drainage side. I wanted to head up the other side & go to Lark Pond, Pipit Lake, & Isolation Lake. As I had studied this out on the topo map, I had noticed that the route up to the saddle between Mahana & Isolation Peaks was not far from Isolation Lake, the saddle was expansive & flat, & the way down to Eagle & Box Lakes didn't look horrible either. I came up with the idea of doing a loop from Bluebird to Thunder, because I wanted to see Eagle & Box lakes as well.

I wasn't sure if this would work out this year because of the extensive spring snows, plus the avalanche damage on the way to Bluebird. Scott wasn't interested in doing this hike, but Sandy was game, so off we went. The hike to Bluebird was uneventful except for the 3 bear cubs we encountered along the moraine of the burn area, & the avalanche damage. We never saw the mama & after the 3rd cub, who had climbed a tree, finally scampered off, we continued on.

After we passed the Ouzel Lake turnoff, we continued on until the trail re-entered the woods. Shortly after that we encountered the avalanche damage. It was pretty extensive, but the main issue was just climbing over the NUMEROUS downed trees. I was familiar enough with the trail to know where I needed to be going. There were a few cairns that seemed to lead to the north of it to try to go around it, but I knew the trail went pretty much straight through it. Sandy decided to follow the cairns & I went straight & we agreed to meet up at the end of it. I quickly found the trail, & Sandy eventually made it, but I think we agreed that going AROUND it was the less desirable choice.


Avalanche damage






Cairn prior to Bluebird that I missed the very first time I hiked there. I had always wanted to get a picture of the area to show others who had requested info about the hike to Bluebird. The cairn(s) are in the middle of the picture.








We ran into 2 rangers at Bluebird with large packs & watched them head down to cross the outlet stream. They were headed the way we were planning on going, so we were interested to see what route they chose. We didn't see them again until we had almost topped out above Bluebird, so I'm not sure what route they took. After refueling, we headed down to cross the outlet stream ourselves. When I had scouted out this route last August, it had been easy to cross the stream. This year the water was still running high, so the rocks were underwater. There were some smallish logs layed across, so that was the only choice for crossing the fairly quickly rushing water underneath.


Sandy negotiating the stream crossing







The route along Bluebird up to Lark Pond is actually well marked with cairns, but it wouldn't be difficult to find your own way if you wanted to. We reached Lark Pond the same time the rangers did since they had taken a side trip to the area above the western part of Bluebird. The weather had quickly changed at this point, taking us from perfectly blue skies, to an obvious storm headed our way. We chose to continue on. It began to rain shortly after we passed Lark Pond, so we donned our rain gear, found some big rocks to hunker down behind, & waited it out.



View soon after crossing Bluebird's outlet stream.








View a little further along






Looking back toward Bluebird






Sandy on the terrain from Bluebird to Lark






Arriving at Lark Pond & Sandy checking out the 2 rangers that she thought were foxy.






Lark Pond






Continued.......

[iceberg]

Sandy in her raingear







The rain moved out about as quickly as it moved in & since Pipit Lake is just past Lark Pond with minimal elevation gain, we kept going & we weren't disappointed. I loved Pipit Lake & after a discussion about if we should call it far enough & turn around or keep going, we decided to move on. By the time we left the lake, the skies were brilliant blue again.

Pipit Lake







Leaving the Lake & heading toward Isolation








Giant rock we found along the way to Isolation







The terrain in spots was very lush






Sandy making her way up






More views of Pipit








It isn't that far to Isolation Lake from Pipit, but there is quite a bit of elevation gain. It was well worth it though because the terrain is great & Isolation Lake is in a really cool spot at the base of Isolation Peak & Mahana Peak

Isolation lake






Continued.......

[iceberg]

Another view of Isolation






From here all thoughts of turning back had dissipated so we continued up the short but very steep haul up to the saddle







Looking back at Isolation Lake






It didn't take long to reach the saddle & Sandy, who was ahead of me, was shrieking with delight at the views she saw. The saddle is really cool. Quite expansive & long. I didn't even think about all the views you would have up there & it was a pleasant surprise to see them all.

Mahana Peak from the saddle






Isolation Peak from the saddle






Sandy & I celebrating atop the saddle






Views from the top







Tanima Peak







We took a lunch break on the northern side of the saddle looking down on what was next, which was making our way down to Eagle & Box Lakes. It was a beautiful spot that I doubt many people see. The weather was holding, yet we still had a long way to go, so onward we went.

Beginning the descent down the other side of the saddle






Continued......

[iceberg]

Eagle's Beak







Our next goal, Eagle & Box Lakes






There are a few un-named ponds above Eagle Lake that we walked along before heading down to the lake.







Looking to the west






As we made the final approach to the lake, it became apparent that the pleasant terrain we had enjoyed thus far was no more, & we continued slowly down with the arduous task of reaching Eagle Lake

Sandy making her way down






Getting closer







It took a really long time because there were all sorts of obstacles to overcome, all the while heading down steeply. We FINALLY made it to the lake & enjoyed the fantastic views

Eagle Lake






At this point we had to make it to the northeastern side of the lake to continue on & the only option was walking THROUGH it. Fortunately the water was very shallow & by finding rocks that were only a couple of inches underwater, interspersed with some that weren't, I made it across without getting my feet wet. Sandy opted for her vibrams. After crossing there was thick krummholtz to go through, although I did locate a good trail that took us maybe 50 feet or so until it diminished. There were a few cairns but they seemed to go in every which direction. After wandering around awhile,we finally found a trail that led us down to Box Lake. Sandy took a spill, wetting her pants yet again.







Box Lake






Continued.....

[Lynette]

Nice hike so far. May be beyond my capabilities... but I love looking at the pictures.

[iceberg]

At this point we were keeping our fingers crossed for a good fisherman's trail to lead us to Thunder Lake, so that we wouldn't have to try & bushwhack around Tanima Peak, which was quite cliffy on the eastern end where we would be travelling. Fortunately we found one right where we took a break at Box Lake so Sandy could change back into her boots. It continued nearly all the way to Thunder, then we lost it, but we were so close to Thunder, it was obvious where we needed to go.

On the fisherman's trail heading to Thunder






Beautiful terrain just below Thunder







Since we lost the trail we weren't sure how to cross the large outlet stream & get on the trail at Thunder. After searching for a crossing point & not finding one, We finally just shucked our boots & waded across.







It's always good to be back on an official trail when you've been off one for so long. We sat at the rangers cabin, had a snack & dried off our feet.

Thunder Lake









By this time the weather was turning again, so we began booking it down the trail & chose to take the campsite shortcut trail. Everything was uneventful until I decided to slip off my raingear, as it had stopped raining. We had just passed some slow moving people & I didn't want to take the time to stop & take it off, only to have them pass us, then we'd have to pass them again, blah blah blah. Bad call. I of course slipped on some wet rocks & landed directly on my knees, also cutting my thumb pretty badly in the process. let's just say that my knees are now functioning at about 90%, & it will be a slow road back. This was the best hike I have ever done though & I am so glad that we kept pressing on & completed it. We are 2 strong mountain women!!

[John]

That's a lot of miles AND elevation gain. I'm impressed!

[Janine]

Great report and photos Kristin. Looks like a wonderful adventure.

[Monica]

What a magnificent day!
I loved every picture.
One thing I do have chuckle about is "lakes" in RMNP are what we call ponds in Michigan.

[DeeCeeM]

Fantastic report! Thanks for sharing.

[soatley]

Fabulous pictures and beautifully written. I'll have to get some of my pictures of Kristin on the hike posted.

I thought last year's vacation was the best ever, but this year's put it to shame. Kristin is the best vacation buddy we could have ever met.

Sandy O

[soatley]

I uploaded the pictures, so here goes.

Kristin heading up to Bluebird, snow's no problem.


Bluebird Pano


Kristin Crossing Bluebird Outlet


Waiting out the Rain


The prettiest mountain woman I've ever seen.


The view I was squealing about in pano.


Kristin crossing the Eagle outlet. Where are the rocks she's using? How did her boots stay dry?


Kristin arriving at the Thunder cabin.


Sandy O

[Rhonda]

What a wild and crazy adventure. Great photos!

[renate1]

Great report and pictures. What an amazing day.

[mwilson]

Like Rhonda said, wild and crazy, but I loved reading your report and seeing both sets of pictures. You two are awesome!