brian cash

brian cash

Ancient Lakes Trail

03/15/16

Backpacked Ancient Lakes in mid March, weather held up, and it was a pretty easy backpack, with a little scramble involved to get down to the lakes. Don't use Google Maps to try to locate the trail head, it took us to some private agriculture area, so use the WTA directions, they worked. Basically find the Public Fishing sign off the highway. Once you get onto the road, there is a lot of options of areas to go, so take the first right, and you will see a parking lot, and a metal sign that says Ancient Lakes. If you continue on, there are other turns to other lakes, and RVs and bathrooms. There are clear areas to camp throughout the hike, and there are lots of areas to roam around, and adventure around. I didn't filter any water, I took all the water in with me, which is a bummer, but since everyone suggests to do so, I followed.

4.0

brian cash

Skyline Lake Trail

02/18/16

I have done this a few times, rather easy, with a few switch backs, they make for a fun powder scramble on the way down. At the top, be sure to take nuts to share with the gray jays, who will eat out of your hand, top of your head, or perhaps straight from your mouth? Get there early to get a parking spot. It is pretty easy to navigate, full of back country skiers, and quite a few tents at the top. The highlight is definitely the descent, forgo the switchbacks and hit the powder, keep the legs churning and make an adventure out of it!

5.0

brian cash

Gothic Basin

02/18/16

We decided to make it an overnight, on a beautiful October day. Quite a bit tougher than I expected, it started out very easy, with the walk on the gravel where cars used to be able to drive. Considering we had pretty heavy packs, trekking poles helped quite a bit on the ascent to the top. It took a good 4 hours to get to the top, but once we made it, it was very worth it. We set up camp on the base of Del Campo. There is plenty of areas to get water, in streams on the way up, and the lakes at the top. I would definitely recommend over nighting this hike, as it was stunning to wake up to at sunset, seeing an amazing panorama of mountains in all directions.

4.0