R01 TR: Sixty Lake Basin etc 9/2-9/11 2021

[sekihiker]

I did stumble onto a small flock of Bighorn Sheep

Wow! Did you get his autograph?

[michaelzim]

@mcgenes Apologies, do not want to distract from your post but I guess we were in same areas at similar time and there seems to be a wildlife interest. Am presuming you did not see these impressive creatures due to lack of any mention. My guess is they were wandering from their base in the Bighorn Sheep Preserve a bit further east.

Wow! Did you get his autograph?

So to end up on this one...No 'autograph' as the ram was clearly going to defend his harem (about 5 ewes) who were far more skittish and kept hiding behind bushes. This is the best photo I got of them. My African youth exploits of 'freeze and move slowly' went into play as I had no doubt the ram would defend if threatened.

Skittish ewes kept hiding:

Skittish ewes

Best ~ Michaelzim

[bobby49]

On the wildlife aspect, I did stumble onto a small flock of Bighorn Sheep (upper 60 Lakes Basin), with emphasis on big horns!

A group of bighorn sheep is generally referred to as a herd.

[Pietro257]

Sixty Lake Basin is a real gem. The contrast between the Basin and Rae Lakes astonishes me. The one gets few travelers and the other is crowded with JMTers, yet they are only a couple of miles apart.

[mcgenes]

@michaelzim No worries! I am jealous...I have never seen a bighorn sheep in the backcountry (yet).
@Pi@Pietro257 I had the same thought and was grateful...It was so nice to have the Basin to ourselves and yet surprising given its proximity to Rae Lakes.

[windknot]

Thanks for the report and photos!

[Wandering Daisy]

Bighorn sheep cannot read signs that say they should stay in their "preserve". I have see them several places but never got a close-up photo like that! Amazing.

[wsp_scott]

Sounds like a great trip. I'm jealous that you got to have Charlotte Lake all to yourself. I thought it was beautiful but way too crowded the one time I stayed there. 60 Lakes Basin was also beautiful, but I did not have to share that with anyone, a very nice contrast to Rae Lakes

[SSSdave]

At all these alpine lakes mentioned, one only has to share such lakes if suffering from lakeitis or trailitis. Each time I've backpacked there, easily sited well away from trails and lake edges with no others within hollering distance. Vast empty areas with almost all groups in predictable village zones. Challenge me and I can easily indicate such areas on a topo.

[Wandering Daisy]

60 Lakes Basin lakes are "frog" lakes. Fish have been removed. I observed gillnets a while back in one lake. On a late season trip 2011 I found this little lake up off-trail a short distance, below Mt Cotter. Also some nice lakes up off the trail on the way to Gardiner Basin.

unnamed lake below Mt Cotter

Also saw mountain sheep on that trip. On my way back when I went up to Window Lake.

mountain sheep