Alpine Lakes and Meadows
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A cooool shot for a hot day.
This beautiful lake sits under the Ptarmigan Wall in the Many Glacier area. Waters don't get much more pristine that this.
Not too many swimmers here, as this portion was open but to the left was floating ice, hence it's name.
Thanks for taking a look! Always appreciated!
Mount Evans is a 14,271 foot (4,350 m) peak in Clear Creek County, Colorado. It dominates the Denver area skyline and can be seen from over 100 miles (160 km) away. Echo Lake is a clear alpine lake which sits at the base of the mountain. It was formed by glaciers about 10,000 years ago. It is 40 miles from Denver but is part of Denver's unique mountain park system.
The area was designated as a historic site by the American Physical Society in 2017, commemorating the many cosmic-ray physics experiments conducted on the mountain between 1935 and 1960.
Alpine Lake is located in Chalk Creek Canyon in the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of 9,347 ft (2,849 m) near the historic gold mining town of Saint Elmo. The town was founded in 1880 but abandoned around 1900. It is now one of America's best preserved ghost towns.
Alpine Lake is a reservoir in Marin County, CA.. HDR panorama from 35 frames. There was a lot less water the last time I was here.
☆☆☆ In Explore 22-09-2022 ☆☆☆
Iconic Stellisee with Matterhorn reflections. Took the first cablecar in the morning from Zermatt up to Sunnegga and further with the condola to Blauherd. From there Stelli Lake (2,537 m above sea level) can be reached in a short hike.
Stelli Lake is part of the popular 5 Lakes Hike.
Thank you for your visits / comments / faves!
☆☆☆ In Explore 01-07-2022 ☆☆☆
Alpine lake above Saas-Grund, Valais, Switzerland. Mischabel Group in the background.
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Autumn reflections in Louise Lake, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
The colors of autumn have such a bright fierceness to them...some days I think I need to find more of that inside myself...
I took this photo on a hiking tour between Trockener Steg and Schwarzsee above Zermatt (the so-called Matterhorn Glacier Trail). I would assume that some decades ago this place was covered by a glacier.
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Snow Lake, Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Washington
When an early morning check of the park webcams showed everything still fogged in at Mount Rainier I changed my hiking plans at the last minute and headed up to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.
It has been five years since I hiked to this lake despite the trailhead being less than an hour away from my house, and on the way up I was remembering all the reasons it has been so long: an extremely rocky trail (including stretches where giant rocks ARE the trail), the bugs, and lots of people. When I got to the lake, the bugs abated with the cool breeze coming off the water, I hiked around the back side of the lake to find some relative solitude, and I succumbed to the beauty of the gorgeous lake basin, thinking "I should really hike this more often". At the end of the hike, after the knee and ankle crunching descent, I revised that thought to "nope, I'm good for another 5 years". Lol
For this panoramic photo four shifted single images were merged in Lightroom. Image taken at a hidden lake last weekend in Tyrol, 2020
☆☆☆ In Explore 18-08-2022 ☆☆☆
Lake Voralp, near Grabs, Canton of St. Gallen.
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Leisee (Lake Lei, 2,232 m) is Zermatt’s beach and a popular outing for the whole family. Located near Sunnegga cable car station and accessible from downtown Zermatt. Lake Lei is part of the popular 5 Lakes Hike.
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Dewey Lake, Pacific Crest Trail, Washington
Sometimes the wind whispers
Sometimes it speaks with only a shout
Sometimes the lake beckons
Sometimes it ripples within its redoubt
This is another photo from my hike last weekend, taken after the trail leaves the National Park and connects with the Pacific Crest Trail. The view is looking the toward Dewey Lake and American Ridge (the opposite direction from Mount Rainier).
It is possible to hike down to the lake on the southbound PCT, which I have done previously; it is lovely for wading in the summer and popular with backpackers and PCT thru-hikers. On this hike though I was enjoying my rambles along the upper trail and the chilly wind made the thought of lingering by the lake much less appealing, so I opted to just admire it from above.
I was also happy to be able to see the ridge of mountains in the distance, as they were obscured by wildfire smoke when I hiked here in the summer. On Saturday however, everything was clear and the colors of the transition season were bright and beautiful.
Tipsoo Lake, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
There is no error on the "date taken" on this image, there really was a snowy lake on my hike this past weekend! Snow melt has been very slow in the alpine areas of the Cascades this year and many trails at Mount Rainier National Park are clinging to memories of winter and still have snow, including this one. (After hiking a mile to the northeast up to the Pacific Crest Trail however, it was summer sunshine and wildflowers!) Fortunately I was prepared with my winter hiking gear, which was not the case for most of the people I saw on my return to the lake at the end of my hike, but it seemed a surreal sort of beauty to be admiring a snowy scene in midsummer.
It was even more surreal when everything was shrouded in dense fog in the morning when I started my hike. It felt quite eerie with no one else around. And at that point the lake wasn't even visible. (If you want to see what that "view" looked like, there is a photo of it here: www.flickr.com/gp/192152428@N07/25i21E)
Another reminder that mountain seasons are capricious and flow to their own rhythms, not to those prescribed by the calendar!
Autumn at Louise Lake, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
This image is of the same lake as in my previous post, but taken down by the lake shore. After an extremely dry summer and autumn you can see the water level is quite low and I was able to walk around the edge of the lake where it would normally be covered with water.
Looking this direction there was only a slight haze in the sky, but behind me was a very noticeable layer of wildfire smoke covering the sky and trees. There has been a significant amount of smoke where I live over the last month, causing unhealthy air quality. The lack of rain and conspicuous absence of the usual marine breeze has caused it to linger much longer and later in the season than it usually does. Higher elevations at Mount Rainier National Park have been one of the few places to be outside without inhaling the scent and taste of smoke, but even here the smoke was clearly visible to the south and east, and by the time I got back to my car, the smell of it was in the air.
So I was very grateful for the chance to escape that for a few hours and enjoy clear skies and cleaner air.
The Karersee (Italian: Lago di Carezza) is a lake in the Dolomites in South Tyrol, Italy
In den westlichen Dolomiten liegt ein kleiner Bergsee, in dem sich der Rosengarten und der Latemar spiegeln: der paradiesische Karersee
Blue Lake, North Cascades, Washington
I still have quite a few photos from my North Cascades trip to post, so I thought I would share another one today. This is Blue Lake, for which the trail I hiked is named, and for many people the main attraction of the hike. Its striking color makes it easy to see why.
[As a side note, due to the number of glacial lakes in Washington, this is but one of six of them not-so-creatively named, "Blue Lake”!]
This alpine lake lies in a cirque, gouged by glaciers from the surrounding walls of granite and granodiorite. And it is glacial flour in the runoff from its source that gives the lake its vibrant hues. Though on this day, the gleaming gold of the larches sought to compete with the lake for the role of lead soloist, as the evergreen trees and the red shrubs on the hillside provided the lower register harmonies in this concerto of color.
Most of the shoreline of the lake is not easily accessed, so the few areas that are, were crowded on a "larch madness" weekend. (Off to the left below and out of the photo are all the people hanging out on the large boulder nicknamed Lunch Rock.) So I hiked above the lake to take some photos and then continued on to the previously posted tarn loop where I found a more peaceful and less populated atmosphere.
**Link to the song from which the photo title was borrowed. Though originally recorded by Cyndi Lauper, I have to (again) give the nod to Eva Cassidy's version. I just love her voice so much.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdYj89Mx6ik
And for those who like colorful songs, Eva also sang a lovely version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow:
Awe-inspiring alpine lake in Canada's Banff National Park. I'm back from a respite for a couple of weeks while on a fantastic trip to Canada with my wife great friends. We saw Vancouver, Jasper, Banff, the Icefield Parkway, and rode the Canadian Rocky Mountaineer. I'm excited to share this picture, and many more to come from our trip.
South Sister and Moraine Lake on a brilliantly clear summer morning. The hike's a bit of a scramble but the view makes it worth the effort.
Owyhigh Lakes and Governor's Ridge, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
I hiked to these lakes today and except for some haze due to wildfire smoke drifting down from Canada, it was a "picture perfect" day at Mount Rainier National Park.
This is one of my favorite early summer hikes because it melts out earlier than most higher elevation hikes. The first 3.3 miles climbs up through a lovely forest with huge trees, the sound of the river in the background, and the summer scent of a sun-warmed coniferous forest. Then abruptly the forest ends and suddenly, as if passing through a door to another world, you're in a beautiful and wondrous subalpine meadow full of mountains and flowers. Hiking a bit further takes you to the basin where a pair of lakes lies in front of the rocky rise of Governor's Ridge. I spent a long time in the meadow and basin today enjoying the beautiful weather and soaking in the views.
(On a side note, I'm posting the pano shot I took with my phone because it is a bit of a personal 'triumph' for me. I am notoriously terrible with taking phone pano shots - for some reason keeping the arrow on the line while moving the phone is quite challenging for me. Lol But I finally got one to turn out so I felt like I had to post it!)
Lodge Lake, Pacific Crest Trail, Washington
Lodge Lake lies along the Pacific Crest Trail near Snoqualmie Pass. (I saw about a dozen northbound PCT thru hikers on the trail today and had the opportunity to chat with a few of them, which I always enjoy.)
Though it was dry at home the rain began to fall shortly before I reached the trailhead, but the clouds and the wet suited my mood today and it has been a quite awhile since I hiked in the rain, so I donned my waterproof jacket and inhaled the satisfying scent of rain dampened forest.
The lake was draped in fog today and the surrounding mountains stayed hidden in the clouds. But the surrounding foliage was lush and green and every once in awhile some glimmers of light would filter through the mist. Those glimmers alternated with wind and rain however, so I was glad I had brought a hat, gloves, and an extra fleece layer as it got quite chilly sitting by the lake.
This time of late summer is a bit of a lull in the hiking season as the alpine wildflower meadows are fading and the bright colors of fall have not yet started to show. And as has become the sad reality of summer the last few years, wildfires and smoke make many trails inaccessible or inadvisable.
But sometimes, a short hike to a small lake and the chance to sit in silence and solitude with the forest and the (invisible) mountains is enough to untangle some of the threads in one’s mind and fill one’s soul.
Our trip to Glacier National Park in 2018 was simply amazing! I continue to find gems in my archives that I think are worth sharing. The landscapes along the Going To The Sun Road and St. Mary Lake were breathtaking!
Green Lake, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
Two views of a beautiful little alpine lake (aptly, but perhaps not creatively, named Green Lake) in the Carbon River area of Mount Rainier National Park. It was just one of the highlights on an 11 mile hike I did yesterday that included an old growth temperate rainforest, a glacier fed river, a spectacular waterfall, and this beautiful lake.
It was a bit hard to access as the only route to an unobstructed view was through ankle deep water and climbing out on that not totally stable log jam. But the water was a gorgeous color and incredibly clear and it was a wonderful spot to eat my lunch and sit in the sunshine for some quiet contemplation.
Mount Rainier and Upper Tipsoo Lake, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
Sere (adjective): being dried and withered.
Synonyms: droughty, dry, waterless
When I hiked here a couple of weeks ago I was shocked at how little snow was on the mountain and how much rock was exposed. It looked more like late August after a hot summer than early July. I was equally shocked at how little water was in Upper Tipsoo Lake. You can see the area in the foreground where the lake should be - where I stood to take the photo is typically under water.
Going into June it was actually a higher than average snowpack year after a snowy early spring in the mountains, but during the "heat dome" in late June, over 30% of Mount Rainier's snowpack melted in less than a week and is completely gone from the lower slopes now.
It has been a hot and dry Spring and Summer here in the Pacific Northwest, with little rain, and as as much as I would want to hope this is just an aberration, I worry that this is becoming the "new normal".
The 2019 Fall season at Lake Sabrina in the Eastern Sierra. Fishermen take their boat to the other end of the lake to get one last fishing trip before the snow season.
Bannalpsee is an alpine lake (in fact it is a reservoir) between Lucerne and Engelberg, located in the Canton of Nidwalden, Switzerland, at an altitude of 1,587 meters above sea level.
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As hikes go, it's a bit of scramble to reach this beautiful alpine lake, gaining 1,840 ft in elevation over 1.5 miles and covering 6-miles round trip. But the view rewards the effort. I took this photo on a cloudless July morning. Take plenty of water, mosquito repellent and protein. Lightweight, breathable long-sleeve shirts a good idea. Excellent hiking footwear essential! Enjoy!
Warner Lake | Utah
This image was captured at Warner Lake showcasing the Las Sal Mountains illuminated by the last sunset light. Warner Lake is located east of Moab in Utah bordering Colorado. The La Sal Mountains are Utah's second highest Mountain Range and are formed of several peaks reaching an elevation of over 12,000 feet.
Upper Crystal Lake, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
This is the lake I hiked to on Saturday. As mentioned it was not my original hike plan for the day. The lake sits at almost 6000 feet elevation (over 1800 meters) and I usually prefer to leave this hike for later in the summer after my legs and lungs have done a few more higher altitude mountain hikes because it is a tough climb! It is only 3 miles from the trailhead to the lakeshore, but there is over 2700 feet of elevation gain packed into those miles, so with over 900 feet of vertical gain per mile, the climb feels steep and relentless. But the reward at the end is this beautiful alpine lake, which is just as crystal clear as its name would suggest. The sky was a bit hazy from the wildfires that are burning but otherwise it was a beautiful day.
On a side note, I have to mention how much I am enjoying the return of trail camaraderie among hikers this year. Last year everyone, myself included, was understandably in their own little Covid bubble: masking up, keeping our distance, and interacting as little as possible other than a quick wave when passing from afar. But this year the spontaneous conversations and interactions with fellow hikers have resumed and I had a couple of very enjoyable chats with other hikers this day, including someone who was hiking ahead of a planned summit attempt of Mount Rainier this week! I, and others I have talked to, are very happy to have that sense of human connection back on the trails!
Snow Lake, Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Washington
This photo is another view of Snow Lake, a hike that was previously chronicled in Lake Day. This shot is from above, and on the opposite side of, the lake. By the time I was hiking back in the mid-afternoon, the morning clouds had cleared and the sun was highlighting the lake’s glorious signature shades of blue. I paused for awhile in this spot just to revel in the dazzling colors and the summer warmth.
Days like this are why I try to hike as much as I can through the summer. So I can soak in all that brightness and sunlight and color, and store it away in my mind to pull out during the times when the rain seems endless and it feels like every day is lived in muted shades of gray.
And looking back at these photos of vibrant summer memories reminds me that even in the gloom of winter, the sun still shines. Sometimes one just has to search a little harder to find it. (Or if one is really lucky, sometimes a friend shows us where to look.)
Reflection Lakes, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
Reflection Lakes is probably one of the most photographed views in Mount Rainier National Park. The iconic view of Mount Rainier reflected in the glassy surface of the lake is the quintessential park photo.
This however, is not that photo. Lol
I hiked to Reflection Lakes on somewhat of a whim, as part of a meandering loop starting and ending at Narada Falls and playing “choose your own adventure” at each trail junction along the way. So my arrival at a few minutes before noon meant that the midday sun directly over the mountain and the gentle breeze rippling the lake made for a highly suboptimal opportunity to take “that” photo.
But the lake is beautiful in its own right, not merely as a reflective surface for Tahoma’s majestic countenance. Ringed by evergreen trees it has a lovely blue-green color and the striking clarity typical of the alpine lakes in this area. I took this photo from the west side of the lake as I came down the Lakes trail (with Rainier to my left and off camera). It was a wonderful spot to sit and enjoy the lake away from the crowds in the main viewing area, with only dragonflies and jumping fish for company.
*Note: Reflection Lakes can be accessed by car via the Stevens Canyon Road in the summer only, or by hiking on either the Wonderland Trail or the Lakes Trail. It can also be done as a snowshoe trip in the winter when the lakes are frozen over (which I have also done) from either Paradise or the Narada Falls parking area.