New York Lake- July 2017

In July Tara and I took a short overnight trip to New York Lake in the Holy Cross Wilderness.  The flowers and mosquitos were definitely blooming.  About a half a mile in we came across a fork in the trail.  A log was laid across the left fork, so assuming that meant the trail was closed we took the right fork.  We strolled through gorgeous blooming tundra for a few miles, and then realized that we were hiking the New York Mountain trail.  Clearly, the left fork was the correct fork.  In such situations, it is always too late to turn around and take the correct trail.  We were on the ridge directly above New York Lake, and so we decided to bushwhack.  

Xoe is so excited to have her pack on.  She refused to move for several minutes.

A very regal Xoe thinking about eating squirrels and Tara enjoying the summer blooms.

Shortly after taking the right fork.  Xoe on full alert for marmots.
"They could be anywhere.  Be on your guard."

Tara wandering across the tundra.  I really enjoyed the high clouds.  Pleasant patterns.

Looking down into the Nolan Lake drainage.

Naturally, the bushwhacking took a while as we had to pick our way through cliffs.  Xoe was not a fan.  Eventually, we got down to the valley bottom.  The plan was to climb the ridge on the other side of New York Lake and drop into Big Pine Lake, but after looking at the 2,000 feet of steep talus we would have to cross while we ate lunch, we decided to stay put. New York Lake was gorgeous, and no one was there.  I figured we could get a good suffer in with a day hike the next day that did not involve as much talus.

Tara investigates one route down, Xoe investigates the snow.
"Hmmm. This definitely needs to be rolled in."

A nicely placed columbine.

Flowers near the lake with Gold Dust Peak in the background.

Tara enjoying the flowers.  Xoe enjoying thoughts of digging out marmots.
"If I shake it hard enough, it will die."

Xoe surveys the marmot population.  "Those squeaky critters are a danger."

Camp

That evening we went for a little stroll around the lake, and found the trail that we should have come in on.  Xoe and I went swimming, though my swim was much, much shorter, and involved no swimming.  Just some squealing and shivering followed by a hasty retreat to warmer environments.  I had such a strong and bizarre feeling of nostalgia walking around that lake.  I guess it just reminded me of a childhood well spent traipsing after my parents.  High alpine lakes were and are their favorite destinations.  All the sights, sounds, and smells just reminded me of similar trips made when I was much younger.  There are few places more peaceful than those lakes.

Xoe is much happier out of the cold water.
"These humans keep throwing the ball in the water, but marmots do not live in the water. Silly humans."

The next morning we decided to climb Gold Dust Peak before hiking back out.  The lake was a placid, beautiful blue color.  Hiking along the edges in the cool morning was exquisite.  From the south end, the lake appears almost to be like a really awesome infinity pool that just sort of reaches to the horizon.  We passed through pretty alpine flowers, and then climbed a snow filled couloir to the top.  This was sketchy.  The snow was surprisingly hard for late July, and Tara went for a ride on the descent.  I was able to grab her before she rocketed into the rocks at the bottom, but I should have listened to that little voice saying "This snow is too hard.  Find a different route."  It's easy to get into real trouble in the mountains even on a seemingly mild hike only several miles into the wilderness.

The morning was downright chilly.

The columbines were really blooming, so we took a photo!
"Things are quiet...too quiet.  Marmots could be planning an ambush while we sit here like idiots."

Wherever we go, there we are.

I really like how the lake seems to just go on to the horizon.

Tara and the lake.

Looking down on New York Lake

Requisite summit shot

Another one.  Xoe strategizing how to heard marmots over the edge of the cliff.

Xoe doing her best impersonation of a badger.  

After returning to camp, we packed up and hiked out.  We managed to follow the trail almost all the way out.  Near a bunch of old mining equipment, the trail got faint and we could see switch backs going up the hillside from quite a ways back.  That seemed like the right way, so off we went.  The trail quickly became nearly non-existent.  As always, there is no possible way to turn back once you've started.  We continued, and the switchbacks that could be seen from several miles back were only apparent from that distance.  Up close, there was almost no sign of the old trail.  We were able to follow a slight depression that wound its way through the cliffs and to the top of the ridge.  Success!!  By five PM or so, we were back at the car.  What a beautiful trip!

Tara nears the top of the ridge after navigating the disappearing switchbacks.
New York Mountain in the background.