Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, Wyoming
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Becker Lake Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, Wyoming |
August 6, 2012 — Day #7
From Cody, Wyoming, the lonesome Chief Joseph Scenic Highway wends its way steeply up to the Beartooth Highway, which runs between the northeastern corner of Yellowstone Park and Red Lodge, Montana. On the CBS television show, Sunday Morning, Charles Kuralt designated this road as "The most beautiful drive in America". I am hoping that it takes me to one of the prettiest trails in America.
My new canister of bear spray is ready
The trek begins at the Island Lake Trailhead with a short descent from the parking lot to a boat ramp; then the trail veers left around the left side of the lake.
Island Lake
First crossing
I would not call this a slog through here, because it is pretty and pleasant. It would be nice to get past this lake and on to the next scene, however.
Two tracks for a while, then one
Right behind Island Lake is Night Lake, which is similar in appearance, but not quite as big.
Night Lake
There aren't many flowers around, except in wetter areas.
Great Purple Monkeyflower
Rough Hawkbit
Now we're getting somewhere. As each low rise is surmounted, another green meadow appears containing one or more new ponds or little lakes.
The next meadow
And the one after that
The chain of lakes seems endless
One particular little pond catches my attention in a big way:
Nature's elegance
At a junction I veer left on what seems to be the more
well-worn trail. When that option begins to descend
rapidly, I return; for that doesn't seem right.
Keep right, toward the creek
Regaining the right-hand trail, I encounter a group of four hikers. When I catch up to them, a woman is photographing a pair of lakes.
Mutt Lake
Jeff Lake
While attempting a tricky stream crossing between the two lakes, the photographer, who clearly is not particularly sure of foot, remarks that water and cameras don't mix. Tell me about it!
Crossing between Mutt and Jeff
Alongside Mutt Lake is a boulder pile that cannot be avoided. Although the Forest Service has made no apparent attempt to improve the situation, many of the rocks are big and flat, which makes for relatively easy going.
Getting through here is almost fun
As some of the others struggle a bit in the talus jumble, I take off up the trail, anxious to see what lies over the next ridge.
The only hill on the trek thus far
A random tarn
Colorado Columbine
Wandering Daisy
As I make my way through a muddy area, I suddenly encounter a reasonably fresh bear paw print. Wonderful! This is a first for me.
This guy probably was here early this morning
As a small corner of a big lake comes into view, I recognize it from photographs as my principal destination, right down to the paintbrush in the foreground.
Becker Lake
This place is every bit as mellow and beautiful as I had anticipated.
The trail continues, however. I already am nearing the five-mile
marker on my hike; but something compels me to keep on going, at least for
a while. Around the next corner, a second view of the same lake
convinces me to stop here.
The trail beckons
More of Becker Lake
In just another mile or so, this trail terminates at Albino Lake which, according to photos I have seen, is spectacular; but I just don't feel like tacking on any more mileage on this relatively inclement day.
As I head back, I see that the hiker group has made its way over to the shoreline slabs, which do look inviting. I would join them, despite some concerned about the possibility of rain that I would like to avoid.
This is why I go hiking ⇔
Somebody up there is squawking at me
As I approach Flake Lake again, I now can see a previously unnoticed marvelous cascade tumbling down the hillside. Normally, I automatically would go over there if I could find a way across the creek; but today I am content to take some telephoto shots from across the lake.
I didn't notice those hikers until I reviewed this photo later
I couple of raindrops have struck me already. Time to go.
Returning to Night Lake
A youngster in sneakers rushes by me in full gallop. A couple of minutes later, I pass him as he is wincing over some sort of leg exercises. I ask him whether this is an example of the proverbial tortoise and the hare.
All that the runner is carrying is bear spray
The lupine have a great color
I can see the sandy boat ramp at the far end of Island Lake, and the trailhead is just behind it. Now it is just a matter of getting over there before it rains. I just barely make it.
The last lap
§: Did I find one of the prettiest trails? In fact,
this mellow and virtually effortless outing up a chain of lakes has one
of the greatest reward-to-effort ratios of any hike I have
taken. On a nicer day I would have ventured farther up to Albino Lake.
It so happens that I did select the 'main' trail at that
junction. While Trail #620 continues downward to the
northwest, the trail to Becker Lake is unofficial.
Note: The young runner did beat me back to the parking lot, of course; but when I departed, he was still rubbing his feet. Did the tortoise win after all?
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| Solitude |  |
