Journal Entries

Up to the next pass, Douglas Peak Pass, but we decided it looked way too dangerous, so we took the low road. Dropping down to Camp Lake to get to the Alpine Lakes area by a different route. The initial descent was a bit wet...

We diverged from the original route once more to cross the continental divide at an unnamed pass, which is now Gutbox Pass. Now we can see the huge, snow covered peaks ahead. That's where we're going. Yikes.

We hiked up an offshoot canyon from Europe Canyon, this one below Victor Peak. Apparently the scenery here is not so great. See for yourself.

Big thunderstorm last night, and I'm so glad to be leaving that campsite. My tent was poorly placed, so even without the storm, I barely slept. But the morning started well with lovely scenery and quick hiking.

The last miles were beautiful, but a zombie march as we drained the last of our energy for the day. Camping on the slopes above Europe Lake. The mosquitoes are now reaching Maine-in-June levels. This means war.

A detour from Skurka's route, so that we could stop by my favorite place from last year's NOLS course. We had afternoon tea at Halls Lake, then continued on.

Looking back toward Sentry Peak Pass from halfway along the 2-mile long Middle Fork Lake. Looks ominous, but we only got hit with a little drizzle.

A quick ascent up Sentry Peak Pass, running from what seemed like thunderstorms. On the other side of the pass, views for miles. We descended the first 800 or so feet by glissading down the snowy slope.

The descent to Bonneville Basin was longer and harder than expected. The lake at the bottom was so mirror-like that at first I didn't even realize I was looking at it.

Lots of snow walking up to the pass, but it went remarkably quickly. This is the closest experience I've had to my 2010 PCT Sierra hiking.