gloo
07-15-2011, 10:56 AM
So I woke up Wed morning and decided: you know I'm going to backpack tonight. And so I did. I have been wanting to get (back?) into it and I wanted to hit up lake blanche now that it was clear. I haven't really backpacked in a long time. Probably not ideal time to try to book it up the trail before the sun set. But hey, why not, right? hah
I hadn't been on any trails in big (or little) cottonwood canyons yet this year (I stick with mill creek. I have season pass...and dog lol). I forgot how beautiful the lake Blanche trail is. Its a great hike. When I was doing the last incline before the lakes, It started lightning and raining (lightly), but the clouds didn't look like they'd last. Still, a worry. They broke and a beautiful double rainbow shown just to the left of sundial peak. I really wish I was in a good position to get a shot, or at least had gotten my camera out of my pack for it. It was phenomenal.
I got to the top of the trail in an hour and 20ish minutes with a 35 pound pack, not bad for my first ever solo and first backpacking trip in years.. I feel rather happy with the accomplishment. It gave me just enough time to set up my tent (I thought it was going to rain still) and scramble to find a place to get a sunset pic. I saw one the other day on here of lake blanch so I scrambled off that way above the lake and then realized...I forgot my tripod mount. DOH. I may or may not have used some choice words but soon I realized I could take the head off my tripod and just screw my camera on directly. It at least gave me the ability to shoot at a high aperture, but I lost so much functionality..I was tired so I basically went to bed after the sunset. But I did see the amazing moon that night. Almost got out of bed to picture it. Almost..
I set my alarm for 6:15 the next morning, got up and snapped some great pics of sundial peak and the rising sun for a couple hours (literally) and just enjoyed the peaceful serenity and a rising sun. I then took off and explored all around the 3 lakes and tried to get some decent shots, we'll see how they turn out.
My only noob backpacking mistake: I took 1 lighter and forgot to check that it actually...you know..worked. I had brought up some oatmeal for my dinner and breakfast. So much for that. But
I hadn't been on any trails in big (or little) cottonwood canyons yet this year (I stick with mill creek. I have season pass...and dog lol). I forgot how beautiful the lake Blanche trail is. Its a great hike. When I was doing the last incline before the lakes, It started lightning and raining (lightly), but the clouds didn't look like they'd last. Still, a worry. They broke and a beautiful double rainbow shown just to the left of sundial peak. I really wish I was in a good position to get a shot, or at least had gotten my camera out of my pack for it. It was phenomenal.
I got to the top of the trail in an hour and 20ish minutes with a 35 pound pack, not bad for my first ever solo and first backpacking trip in years.. I feel rather happy with the accomplishment. It gave me just enough time to set up my tent (I thought it was going to rain still) and scramble to find a place to get a sunset pic. I saw one the other day on here of lake blanch so I scrambled off that way above the lake and then realized...I forgot my tripod mount. DOH. I may or may not have used some choice words but soon I realized I could take the head off my tripod and just screw my camera on directly. It at least gave me the ability to shoot at a high aperture, but I lost so much functionality..I was tired so I basically went to bed after the sunset. But I did see the amazing moon that night. Almost got out of bed to picture it. Almost..
I set my alarm for 6:15 the next morning, got up and snapped some great pics of sundial peak and the rising sun for a couple hours (literally) and just enjoyed the peaceful serenity and a rising sun. I then took off and explored all around the 3 lakes and tried to get some decent shots, we'll see how they turn out.
My only noob backpacking mistake: I took 1 lighter and forgot to check that it actually...you know..worked. I had brought up some oatmeal for my dinner and breakfast. So much for that. But