The Lake with No Name (In Explore)
Glacial lake, Emmons Moraine trail, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
I have always found it puzzling that a lake of such a beguiling hue has not been bestowed with a name. Yet there it sits, nameless, an empty space on the map when much smaller lake "dots" have their respective names noted beside them. And in hiking guides and trip reports it is typically referred to only as "the glacial lake on the Emmons Moraine trail".
The lake lies tucked away in a cirque at 5000 feet/1520 meters, fed by the White River flowing out of the Emmons Glacier on the northeast slopes of Tahoma/Mount Rainier. (And it is the glacial flour in the water that gives it the turquoise color.) After a steep, scrambling climb up and over a ridge from the river crossing below, a tantalizing glimpse of the water appears through the trees, and when the trail finally opens up to a view of the lake, the color is dazzling. Especially on a day like last weekend, with cloudless skies and strong mountain sunlight.
And perhaps remaining nameless gives this lovely lake some anonymity to hide behind, as I was able to enjoy the views of it for a good length of time in near-solitude on a warm and sunny day.
The Lake with No Name (In Explore)
Glacial lake, Emmons Moraine trail, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
I have always found it puzzling that a lake of such a beguiling hue has not been bestowed with a name. Yet there it sits, nameless, an empty space on the map when much smaller lake "dots" have their respective names noted beside them. And in hiking guides and trip reports it is typically referred to only as "the glacial lake on the Emmons Moraine trail".
The lake lies tucked away in a cirque at 5000 feet/1520 meters, fed by the White River flowing out of the Emmons Glacier on the northeast slopes of Tahoma/Mount Rainier. (And it is the glacial flour in the water that gives it the turquoise color.) After a steep, scrambling climb up and over a ridge from the river crossing below, a tantalizing glimpse of the water appears through the trees, and when the trail finally opens up to a view of the lake, the color is dazzling. Especially on a day like last weekend, with cloudless skies and strong mountain sunlight.
And perhaps remaining nameless gives this lovely lake some anonymity to hide behind, as I was able to enjoy the views of it for a good length of time in near-solitude on a warm and sunny day.