Most of the terrain on this hike has been burned quite some time ago, leaving a lot of silvery-gray, dead trees, both standing and fallen. (Not a good place to be on a very windy day.) For this hike, you must first climb up to a ridge that runs along the Bitterroot-Selway Wilderness boundary, then drop down to a saddle, only to climb up again to reach the lakes that lie beyond. Hiking through the burned area can be quite hot on a sunny, summer day. It's a good idea to take plenty of water and a water filter to re-fill at the lakes. Because it was pretty hot on this hike, the lake sounded good for jumping in ... but as I expected for late June, it was cooler at the lakes with a breeze and lower temps due to higher elevation, along with very cold water from the snow melting directly into the lake ... so no swimming for us this time around. However, it was quite enjoyable hanging out at the lakes and exploring the terrain beyond. :)
While descending from the ridge to the saddle, a nice view opens up of more canyons and ridges to the south.
Also near the saddle, South Heavenly Twin comes into view along the other side of the trail.
After climbing back up from the saddle, the trail levels out as it goes around to Glen Lake. Not too much more to go.
Arrival at Glen Lake, our first destination. A quick bite to eat and a few pics, then carry on to the upper lake.
We're a bit too close to get the whole lake into one shot. Interesting crags up above.
Final view of Glen Lake as we leave to head up once again.
Hiking between the lakes with Glen Lake seen below through the standing dead trees.
Hiking along the little mountain stream that meanders down from one lake to the other.
I love this part of the mountain stream snaking through so peacefully.
Heads up: where there is snow, there will be a snowball fight! :)
Looking back down, while on our way up between the lakes.
At one part of our final destination.
The upper lake is divided into two parts. The smaller part is like a pretty little pond.
An interesting view from here.
Beauty in the little things.
I love the rock in the shallow portion.
A white-crowned sparrow on our way around to the larger part of the upper lake.
A good day for fabulous reflections.
The larger part of the upper lake. Absolutely beautiful! :)
Exploring above the lakes.
Quite a bit of snow still around, but nicely consolidated for walking on. A little slushy and slippery though.
Back down to the upper lake. Too cold for swimming, but perfect for hanging out.
A fabulous view at our main destination for the day. -- Nice to see some green trees in such a burned area.
I love the contrast of the green with the snow. Summer meets winter.
Heading back down. The water runoff on this side of the upper lake feeds into Big Creek.
Stopping for more pics on our way down the other side of the loop portion of the trail.
A nice view of St. Mary's Peak from this part of the trail before reaching the saddle on our way back down.
We finished out this hike, and a little less than a week later we hiked up to St. Mary's Peak. From the peak, we headed off trail out on the ridge farther than we've gone in the past, and then down to the lower McCalla Lake to hang out by the water on another hot, summer day. Pics of that hike to come... hopefully soon. :)
And maybe someday I'll get around to doing a post of a snowshoe trip we took up here a few years back. So many hikes I have yet to share as I catch up sorting my pics. :)
See you in the next post...
