Day 2 - A Day In Church

Sunday, July 18, 2010
Stats for the day: started at Grouse Lake (10,640') at 8:40 - ended at State Lake (10,299') at 5:00. Total ascent 2034'. Total Descent 2222'. Total Distance 7.22 miles. 4 hrs 5 mins walking. 4 hrs not moving.
Someone wipe the goofy grin off my face. It has been glued there all day and my mood makes it impossible for me to shake it off. This is heaven on earth. It is appropriate that it was Sunday today because I practiced my religion in my church all day long. Clear skies, gorgeous meadows, streams and brooks, route finding through passes and down drainages, side hill traverses, glissading some steep snow slopes, gentle breezes and blazing sun, panting uphill workouts, relaxing moments alongside the route and great friends to share it with. Truly, heaven on earth.
We left Grouse Lake about 8:40, 40 minutes later than we had hoped for, but a drenching dew had everything very wet or damp, so we delayed a bit to let the sun dry our tents and gear.
We ascended the slope northward from the lake to Grouse Lake Pass at 11,037 and found an amazing view down into Granite Basin. Also, from here we could see our next destination, Goat Creek Pass off to the NE. We diagonally descended from the pass into the basin and then began our climb up to the pass. This basin was lovely. Lots of streams, a broad glacial u shape, craggy granite peaks on all sides. Stunning. We made the pass, then stopped for lunch. The Smiths and Gary ate tonight's dinner as the mosquito population was slightly diminished due to an intermittent breeze funneling through the pass. After an hour fifteen for lunch we packed up and descended the slabs, boulders, scree and snow fields to upper Glacier Lake. Andy suggested a swim, so all but Gary stripped down for an icy plunge. It is tricky swimming when the mosquitos are thick beyond exaggeration. You loosen all your clothing, remove glasses and wristwatches, then quickly drop your pants, peel off the shirt and jump in before too many have a chance to set up drilling operations. Coming out is the reverse. Jump out, quickly dry your top and throw on your shirt, then dry the bottom half, replace pants, then socks and boots. With practice you can get the enjoyment of a swim even when inundated with thousands of mosquitoes.
Below Upper Glacier Lake we descended to the lower lake through more boulders and slabs to the marshy area above the lake. Here Shooting Star flowers dominated the meadows at times creating solid fields of color. Below the lower lake a 400' foot drop fell precipitously away over slabs and vertical sections of granite. We moved to the far left and found a route between the steep sections. It was now a mile from this point to the State Lake trail, so we hiked through two magnificent meadows awash with flowers, water and sunlight and sections of lodgepole pine forest until we hit the trail. A couple of tricky stream crossings and a gain of about 400 feet and we were at State Lake.
Those last 400' were grueling as it was a very warm afternoon, we were tired and the mosquitos were thick. But, we arrived at the lake and set up camp. I fished and caught at least a dozen, but they were all 8 inchers, so I released them and settled for tuna noodle casserole for dinner. It was great.
I am more tired today than yesterday even though we did less elevation and shorter distance. It will take a week or two of this to get me in shape.
Everyone had an awesome day, mesmerized by the route and scenery. It is wonderful to share the experience with those that enjoy itches much as I do. We are all hoping to see the mosquito bloom end soon. They are thick and omnipresent. Hiding in the tent is the only relief. Everyone heeded my warnings and brought head nets, and the bites we do receive are not potent at all-no raised bumps so they are really just a nuisance.