Vistas, Wildflowers, and Waterfalls, OH MY!

The imposing East Portal TH (8,950') leaves hikers with uncharacteristic sounds and images of traditional trailheads.  If you remove the lush mountains of James Peak Wilderness, the site is nothing more than a remote railroad siding.  On our approach to the TH, we crossed the tracks seconds after a train of coal cars had passed.  The TH doubles as a layover point for coal mined in Wyoming.

The first mile plus takes hikers through a number of open meadows surrounded by tall stands of aspen and conifers.  At the 1.8 mile point, trail becomes more challenging as it continues over house-size bolders, up stone stairs, across a number of streams before switchbacks take us up, up and away.

Grassy meadows filled with wildflowers set the stage for a colorful hike.

Elevation gain of 1,400' or more is not a problem for most HCH members.  Most of the group of 14 were up to the challenges of the day.  A few settled for a slower pace.

Hikers take a break on trail.

First glimpse of Crater Lake caused more than one to exclaim "Wow, look at that," referring to the beautiful setting.  Wildflowers can make a wonderful hike into an awesome hike.  Today was an awesome hike.

First glimpse of Crater Lake.

Although the author missed a number of hikes this season, the setting we found ourselves in for Lunch may have been the most scenic, the most remote, with unequaled solitude.

PB&J, tuna salad, nuts, and fresh fruit never tasted this good. 

Someone threw out an added challenge to climb another 500' above the lake to get the best view.  Five, including the author, said yes.  As the group made their way beyond the lake, they were  looking for a trail that would take them to the base of a roaring water fall that feeds Crater Lake.

Challenged by yet another up, Al surges ahead. 

The sound of thrashing water over solid rock, not a trail, led these adventurous soles to the final climb of the day and one of the most beautiful spots this sole has been to.  Nope, not even some hand over foot alpine scrambling would intimidate these adventurous soles.

Look closely, Judy (left) and Ed (behind falls) have the best view of Lone Eagle Peak and the surrounding wilderness.

A new member of the group this season, Al Akell said, "The lower lakes were a great end to the hike.  I especially liked the path between the two boulders which reminded me of a taco shell.  I only wish we could have found the trail to the upper lakes on the way up...not on the way down."

This is about as good as it gets!

Perched high above the lake, surrounded by a host of colorful friends including Violet Aster, Red Clover, Elephantella, Paint Brush, Biswort, Parry's Bellflower, Black-eyed Susan and Rocky Mountain Daisies, one might think one was in another world.

A most colorful meadow.

By 1:30, the five mountain goats were lakeside again, cinching down their packs for the return trek.  Soonafter leaving the lake, a gear malfunction of sorts.  During our descent, Dorothy Stromberg 'blew a tire.'  That is to say, the entire tread (toe to heel) peeled off her boot in one piece.  Minutes later, Gary 2 had secured the tread in place using...yes that old faithful...duct tape.  The four to five-foot-long piece of tape had been wrapped around one of his hiking poles since the start of the hiking season.  As for Dorothy, she was able to walk normally the remaining 2+ miles to the TH.

Experienced hikers are prepared. Gary 1gives Dorothy a temporary retread after she 'blew a shoe.' 

STOP! Enjoy the view.

A number of HCH members took time to express their thoughts about the outing.  "This has to be my favorite hike," Mary K. Ryan said.  "It was quite an adventure, mixed with beauty, and great exercise.  The lake view was awesome! Could not have picked a better spot for lunch," she added.

What's not to like.

One way the author can gauge how good a hike it was is by simply checking the cameras image counter.  The number today was a healthy 223 images.  For this life-long hiker, the excitement of a hike will continue well into the night.  A quick review of all images captured from the day is followed by a more critical eye that looks for the best of the best images.

Solitude, sweet solitude.

This was a banner day in terms of good to very good and a few exceptional images.  Final number of keepers...196.     

Total miles = 6.6 (+ 2 additional for the five who were not satisfied)

Total elevation gain = 1,400' (+ 400 for the five mountain goats)