IMG_9655 by Burnside Bob, on FlickrGetting Ready at the Trailhead, 7:00 AM.
A lot of other people had the same idea and we found 25 cars in the Devil's Lake TH. We expected a busy trail, but actually encountered very few people on the way up. They must all be sleeping on the summit!!? As it turned out, nope.
When we reached the Moraine Lake trail intersection, we began to appreciate how smoky it was. We arrived at the Lewis Glacier, 9000 ft, about 9:15, which was about the top of the smoke layer.
IMG_9657 by Burnside Bob, on FlickrLewis Glacier.
IMG_9662 by Burnside Bob, on FlickrBachelor Butte and Broken Top
IMG_9673 by Burnside Bob, on FlickrHanging on to my Hat on East Crater Rim
Well, my hiking secret is out. Take Figgie and she'll tow you! We climbed down to the little ledge east of the summit rocks for a snack break out of the wind.
IMG_9675 by Burnside Bob, on FlickrNorth Sister, Chambers Lakes, Carver Lake
IMG_9676 by Burnside Bob, on FlickrYou Promised Snickers Bars and Starbucks Via Mocha Latte And You Give Me Kibble and Water??
IMG_9682 by Burnside Bob, on FlickrOregon's Top Dog--For the Moment.
IMG_9689 by Burnside Bob, on FlickrWindy??
We did the round-the-crater loop and stopped at the largest bivy tent ring to see if it was effective at blocking the wind--it was. Teardrop Pool was still all snow.
IMG_9694 by Burnside Bob, on Flickr
IMG_9695 by Burnside Bob, on Flickr
IMG_9699 by Burnside Bob, on Flickr
IMG_9706 by Burnside Bob, on FlickrParting Shot: View From Lewis Glacier
We met 50 plus people coming up during our descent. Figgie had celebrity status with most everyone. After we relented and gave her Snickers and Via Mocha Latte she pulled on the lead all the way back down.
Back at the TH we found the lot completely full and another 15-20 cars parked on the road shoulder where the trail crosses Century Drive.