detour: cooler mountains

Fleeing the week of 105+ degree weather, the mountains offered little respite. But 90 degrees at 6500 feet still sounded better, and camping, swimming, kayaking and hiking sounded like a great plan.

how much can you cram in/on a Subaru? A lot.

First things first: launch the kayak for the first time this season. The rivers have been running too fast and cold for casual kayaking, but now it's just right. There is something about water and granite and blue skies (and no cell service) to make you stop worrying about all those projects you left on your desk...

just breathe

old, cut tree with logging marks

tiny tree among granite

I didn't take any photos of our lovely camping spot, next to the creek, with a short walk to the lake. But I took full advantage of putting my feet in the creek, and a comfy chair, with a 800+ page new book, (the last in one of my favorite trilogies): now that's a great weekend.

a lovely start

meadow of mule's ear, not blooming quite yet!

But I guess I should put down the book for awhile (and it was way too heavy to put in my backpack) and hit the trails. For a short hike, no monsters this weekend. Except in the lake! I had really wanted to swim after our couple-mile excursion to the lake, but it was filled with catfish, swimming along the surface, intensely interested in whatever. I don't like fish that I can see. I got my feet wet and that was all.

perfect Salmon lake

too many catfish

But we continued, there were many lakes along the trail, and eventually there was a great one to take a lunch break, read my secondary (much more lighter-weight) book, and breathe the cool air.

granite trail

Sierra phlox

The trails are mostly granite, interspersed with giant boulders to climb around and over, and this year, still snow! The lakes were all full, there were fallen trees and a lot of debris on trail, but hidden flowers were everywhere.

pretty in pink, mountain heather

removing some jammed-up debris (and singing Toad's "Dam Would Break" for awhile after this...)

Sierra fawn lily

it wasn't that hot out, but I couldn't resist laying the snow/ice.

Back in the campsite, I hefted my book, ate marshmellows and looked up at the trees. And then back at my book, because honestly, what's going to happen next?

along our camp creek