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Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 9:42 pm
by Shawn
Well, I was wondering about Mountaineers' photo too. I'm slow on the draw, but here's Columbine Lake from Sawtooth Peak to put it in perspective:
Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 10:41 pm
by JM21760
Haaaa, Shaun! Perfect! The only time I've ever seen Columbine Lake in daylight was from the summit of Sawtooth. Every other time we, or I saw it was pulling in very late, trying to make it back to MK. Has anyone done the XC pass between Crystal Lake and Amphitheater Lake? Quite interesting from the east. I also did the XC pass in the next basin north of Franklin Lakes, over to the large unnamed lake in the Soda Creek drainage. Also, crossed the ridge east of Amphitheater Lake to the unnamed tarn just to the south of Needham. All out of the MK area. Saw no one for 3 days back there. Made a fun little loop trip.
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=11&n= ... ayer=DRG25
Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 11:18 pm
by Shawn
Well, I haven't done the XC pass between Crystal Lake and Amphitheater Lake but when I was up at Sawtooth we came down via the south ridge and then scrambled down via the Monarch lakes to the trail. Afterwards I was kicking myself for not wandering over to and down around Crystal Lake. Anyway, I stood there above Amphitheater Lake for quite some time just admiring the beauty of the thing; I have a photo of it (below) as my screen saver on this PC.
A favorite view - Amphitheater Lake
This is where I was standing when I took the picture from above Amphitheater Lake - but now looking over to the traverse to Crystal Lake.
Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 11:46 pm
by JM21760
Ahhhhh, yes! I love that view south of Sawtooth. That peaklet that looks like a huge Sharkfin. Interestingly, I traversed on ledges below the outlet of Amphitheater Lake. It was sidewalk like. At one point, you actually pass through a tunnel in the rock, where the pack just fit without taking it off. Completely natural, and very cool!
Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2005 12:06 am
by Snow Nymph
Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2005 12:46 am
by JM21760
Mountaineer, might it be Cyclamen Lake? Just have never seen Columbine from that side, in daylight anyway. The Shooting Stars (Dodecatheon Jefferyii) are spectacular at Columbine Lake in season. That wild Cyclamen, is to die for.
Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2005 2:59 pm
by mountaineer
No, it is Columbine. Cyclamen is actually real small. In fact, you can see it at the left edge of one of Shawn's pics above. Those are great, that is such a spectacular area. Ampitheatre Lake is a hazardous downclimb from the ridge above Monarch, but doable.
Snownymph, you'll have to host the pics somewhere other than webshots. Those are great!
Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2005 4:09 pm
by Ratboy
Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2005 4:41 pm
by Buck Forester
VERY nice images, Ratboy! I recognize all these places and you've captured them well.
Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2005 6:33 pm
by The Other Tom
SSSdave wrote:Standing on the shore of the little southeast turfy meadow of Ediza Lake about 8:30am one has the pick of either Ritter Banner or The Minarets:
...David
I've seen many pictures of Banner on the web. Although I've never been there (hope to some day), this has got to be one of my favorites.
