I'm not the most efficient trip planner. Usually, I plan a trip by looking at one particular little corner and thinking, "How can I get there?" The special corner for this trip was Kid Lake below Glacial Saddle. Looking in Google Earth and at the topo maps, it seemed like it would have good views of Arrow, the King Spur, and a smidge of the Kings-Kern Divide—all right next to a lake too!
On 6/19, I was at Road's End (which opened, I believe, 9 days earlier for the first time since 2022) with a 7:00 am walk-up permit in tow for Copper Creek. I knew what was ahead: around 5000 feet straight up in the hot sun!
My favorite view on the climb was by Upper Tent Meadow. It reminded me of a Swiss meadow—so green, with towering peaks above and birds singing. It made the climb worth it.
Eventually, I made it to Grouse Lake at 4 pm! I was fully expecting to arrive later than 6 pm, given the descriptions I had read of the Copper Creek Trail. So this was pleasant.
After enjoying the scenery at the lake for a few minutes, I went in search of a good campsite. I spotted a rise on the south end of the lake that I thought would provide good wind protection while still being close enough to the lake. As I got closer, I could tell that this rise could have plenty of flat spots on top of it. When I reached the top, I was astounded by the sightlines.
Even better, there were perfectly flat spots with a view on top. Wind be damned, my new Tarptent Moment was ready for a stress test. I had to camp here. I am pretty sure I could see all the way to the Whaleback! Please let me know if I am right or wrong.
Is this the Whaleback Below?
The next morning, I went fishing. Unfortunately, I did not catch any monsters, but they were of good size. I let them all go.
After fishing for a bit along the eastern shore, I began my way up to Mungoat Pass. The west side is quite a gentle walk-up. The east side had some lingering snow. I brought my ice axe as I didn't see much info about this pass except for what TehipteTom/RoguePhotonic have posted. I certainly did not need it, but I am quite new to backpacking off well-marked trails. I made my way to the lake's southern shore, where I discovered my forgotten item of the trip (there is almost always something: polycro, trowel, towel, toothpaste, etc.). No bug spray. Boy, did I need it. The mosquitos were out. Luckily, I hike in full clothing and had a headnet and hat. Not all was lost. I made my way just below the outlet of the lake, where it was windy and less buggy. I was greeted with a unique view of the Muro Blanco Canyon!
Southernmost Kid Lake Below
View up the Muro Blanco
After having lunch just below the outlet, I began to route-find my way to the highest Kid Lake. Once I was in the north fork of Kid Creek Basin, I took off my pack to have a light snack, and my fly fishing rod was gone! Well, I couldn't let that go. So I dropped my bag, brought water, a headlamp, and a filter. I retraced my steps, and after a nerve-wracking 30 minutes, I found it. A tree branch had snagged it out of the pocket it was in just below the outlet of Kid Lake. I must not have buckled one of the straps completely after lunch.
I eventually made it to the promised lake. It has quite the nice grassy shore that steps to a silty lake bottom—perfect for a swim. No clamoring over rocks here. I couldn't see any fish underwater with my goggles. No bites on my dry dropper fly rig either. While I had sought this particular corner for its sightlines, it did not best my campsite at Grouse Lake. Still, the views were world-class! I lounged about for a few hours at my private lake for the night. Quite nice and refreshing.
I reckon that I was part of a handful of people that have been there over the past two years since Road's End was closed last season.
I'm sure many of you know, but bring some clear-lensed goggles on your next trip to a high lake. There is a whole other blue Martian world below the surface.
