Most viewed - Imogene Lake, Mt. Cramer, October 5, 2023
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DSCF0874.jpg11 viewsTwenty minutes below the outlet of Imogene Lake, I arrive at the unnamed lake at 8260'. This is the same lake I arrived at in the dark last night about midnight on my way back to camp after climbing Cramer. It looks better in the daylight! Those who climb Cramer from the trailhead usually begin the cross country trek west toward the summit in the vicinity of this lake. I need to pick up my pace, as it will be dark again in less than two hours.
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DSCF0870.jpg9 viewsThe Zpacks Duplex 2 in morning light. I'll do some fishing and give the tent, sleeping bag, and clothes a chance to dry out before packing up.
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DSCF0804.jpg8 viewsIn another quarter mile or so, the trail coming from the upper trail head to the south joins the trail from the lower trail head. The gradient steepens slightly.
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DSCF0805.jpg8 viewsThe outlet to Hell Roaring Lake is reached in roughly five miles from the lower trail head. A log bridge makes crossing the outlet to the south shore of the lake trivial.
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DSCF0807.jpg8 viewsFinger of Fate rises to the west above Hell Roaring Lake. I understand some of this rock formation was lost in an earthquake two or three years ago. This was the same earthquake that took down some of Baron Spire above the Baron Lakes further north in the Sawtooth range. The technical route to the summit is 9 pitches. The easiest route is 5.8.
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DSCF0809.jpg8 viewsI passed by several granite walls adjacent to the trail that offered good bouldering opportunities that could easily be top-roped.
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DSCF0860.jpg8 viewsI can see the East Ridge of Mt. Cramer and it looks straightforward. The summit is on the skyline, about 1/3 toward the center from frame right. I've set a turnaround time of 4 pm, which is rapidly approaching. I figured 4 hours up, 2 hours down. That leaves me some wiggle room. I violate this by pushing the turnaround to 4:30 pm.
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DSCF0871.jpg8 viewsLooking north toward the outlet (on the right) of Imogene Lake. I fished on the west side of the lake. Tied into a nice rainbow using a #18 mosquito. I was just about to land it when it got off the line. I'm just about to walk out on the east side, and plan to fish a few spots before getting to the outlet. It's already past 5:30, so I need to get going. I want to hike to the Hell Roaring Lake outlet before it gets dark around 7:30 pm. These are the first clouds I've seen the entire trip.
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DSCF0875.jpg8 viewsI must have traveled east last night just on the other side of those sunlit trees on the ridge above and west of the lake.
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DSCF0877.jpg8 viewsThis is where I came upon the main trail leading me back to Imogene Lake last night. I stayed closer to the trees to avoid getting my feet wetter than they already were. Note Finger of Fate, the obvious pinnacle on the right skyline. About a mile below Hell Roaring Lake I lost the light. I stopped, had a big snack, put on some pants legs, polartec pullover, mountain parka, gloves, headlamp, and swapped visored cap for balaclava. I enjoyed a pleasant stroll down to the Stanley Valley, arriving at my car at 10 pm. Just a wonderful fall backpack!
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DSCF0800.jpg7 viewsStarting from the lower trail head has its advantages. After a short climb, one follows a beautiful meandering stream. The colors are intense. The trail is almost flat for most of the five miles one might 'save' by driving to the upper trail head. I drive a car which has very little ground clearance, but it corners well and gets phenomenal mileage. I'll take the lower trail head any time!
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DSCF0811.jpg7 viewsCloser on the tarn. I wanted to get close to one of the lily pads, but it was boggy, and I would have had to remove my shoes to avoid wet socks. It was almost 4 pm, and I decided to keep hiking, hoping I would be able to set up camp and maybe even do some fishing before it got dark.
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