Colchuck Lake

The guidebook says that seeing this lake for the first time is like a "religious" experience for many people. I can't say that it was like that, but it surely is one of the most beautiful lakes I've ever seen. The couloir up and to the left is Aasgard Pass, the way to the Enchantments - an even more gorgeous part of the mountains (it's 2000 feet up in 1 mile!). 

We got an early start to avoid climbing up the trail in the hottest part of the day so we were at the lake by 11. So we get all the way up there (4.2 miles with 2200 feet of gain) and we find a great rock to sit and eat our lunch and take in the view. I don't really like to complain but I have to say I was extremely angry at this group of women who sat down 10 feet from us and polluted the peaceful atmosphere with their loud gossipy conversation. They had the whole basin to choose from and they had to sit right down next to us. That is one of my pet peeves - people playing loud music or having loud conversations in a setting such as this, especially since I worked so hard to get there! I simply can't understand the thoughtlessness.

We also had to fight the yellow-jackets for our lunch! And we were dive-bombed by nuthatches; they tried to get food right out of my husband's hand. The extra is a picture of my husband by one of the creek crossings.

So that's the end of my hiking vacation!