John and Jean: Moraine Lake – Consolation Lake – Moraine Lake Walk

We got up to fog, clouds and cold this morning! John had promised us breakfast at the Laggen so we headed into town and got something warm to eat. Then did a little shopping as Gretchen had seen somthing she wanted to look at again. Waited for that fog to lift and decided to head up the mountain hoping it would clear before we got to Moraine Lake! And, I'll be darned if it didn't turn into gorgeous clear blue sky about 2/3 of the way up to the Lake. Good decision John!!! And even better, there was hardly anyone there!

Got a great reflection picture of some of those 10 Peaks!

Those clouds were still hanging in the valley!

Beautiful every direction!

Sunshine picking up the blue color this morning.

We ran into some folks(Australian) we had met at the shelter on the Big Beehive the day before. They were looking for two more people to do the Consolation Lake Hike (the Park had certain trails where there had been grisly bear activity on a list for 4 or more hikers). John and Gretchen said they'd love to go (that was one of Gretchen's top hikes from the book!) but Jean declined as her hip was telling her it was time to settle down a little:-). So, we have two stories to tell about today.

John and Gretchen's hike to Lower Consolation Lake

Rock Field at beginning of Consolation Lake Trail

We had to cross a big rock field first but then the trail went into the forest and was wide and not very steep. As we approached the lake it became very rocky and we had to rock hop for quite a way to get up close to the lake.

Lower end of Consolation Lake

Consolation Lake with Bident and Quadra Mountains

Consolation Lake with Bident and Quadra Mountians

Mount Bident and Quadra
At the upper end of the lake there was a sleeping hut with Bident and Quadra Mountains behind. On the way back to Moraine Lake we hiked with the Australian's, a German group and some Brits. It is great having the opportunity to talk with people from around the world that also love to hike and photograph the great outdoors.

Jean's solitary wander along Moraine Lake

My adventure began before I had even gotten down the steps by the Rock Slide. This cute little chippy entertained me for a good number of minutes...they are my favorite as my family will tell you!

As I finally moved along I ran into this Pika

gathering grasses...for a nest?

More time, but no one pushing me onward :-). Understand I love my family dearly, but don't get much "me" time. I decided I was going to "stroll" (not a word in my vocabulary!) along the walkway by Moraine Lake.