Sunday afternoon I left to go on a several day backpacking trip. Rachael Lake in Wahington's central cascades was my final destination. I arrived at the trailhead late afternoon only to find that the county search and rescue had closed the parking lot to stage a rescue effort for a sick hiker. As I was parking down the road the S&R team was leaving. I retrieved my pack and placed my water bag into it, secured my vehicle and proceeded to the trail head and fill out the permit. A requirement for the Alpine Lakes Wilderness entry. I would guess that the S&R team got about a 10 minute head start from me. On up the trail I go rapidly gaining elevation for the first 3/4 mile then leveling off for about 2.5 miles up a Box Canyon so aptly named to the head wall. At the head wall the trail snaked up the side of the mountain in almost stair steps of roots and rocks. About half way up this I caught the S&R team, at least within sight so less than 40 yards. I guess all the cycling has paid off building my endurance. The trail is possibly the worst trail I've ever hiked, rough, steep, numerous creek crossings and blow-downs. I arrived up to the lake just before dark. It was starting to cloud up, yuk! Right before that the S&R team was paused next to the trail drinking water and eating a snack, it seems their mission was complete. The sick hiker became better and was able to self evac.
I quickly made camp, filtered water for dinner and coffee for the morning and cooked dinner. It was dark by the time I was able to eat dinner. The hike in was about 4 miles with and elevation gain of 1600 feet. Shortly after dinner I turned in. Woke this morning to mostly clear skies to the east but overcast, low blowing clouds to the west and over the lake. Ate breakfast then tried fishing for a bit, the main reason for the trip. No fish activity that I could see. Returned to camp and started taking pics. Watched a mountain goat across the lake for a long time. It was there most the morning, feeding at first and finally bedding down. Ate lunch and decided to break camp.
The goat pic is pretty grainy.......
I quickly made camp, filtered water for dinner and coffee for the morning and cooked dinner. It was dark by the time I was able to eat dinner. The hike in was about 4 miles with and elevation gain of 1600 feet. Shortly after dinner I turned in. Woke this morning to mostly clear skies to the east but overcast, low blowing clouds to the west and over the lake. Ate breakfast then tried fishing for a bit, the main reason for the trip. No fish activity that I could see. Returned to camp and started taking pics. Watched a mountain goat across the lake for a long time. It was there most the morning, feeding at first and finally bedding down. Ate lunch and decided to break camp.
The goat pic is pretty grainy.......
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