Day 3
9.14 miles, gain 1960ft/loss 3500ft
Basically, a repeat of the first day, just in reverse. Well, the mileage and elevation gain/loss anyway…
Another beautiful morning, with the sunrise lighting up the ridgeline across the lake, creating a scenic reflection off of the still lake. We pack up in a bit of a hurry, trying to avoid the bugs as much as possible, for as soon as we leave the tents, they’re on us without mercy. Being mostly downhill, the miles pass quickly, at one point we pass a WTA trail crew coming up to maintain the trails. We thank them for their service as they pass by, such young fresh faces!!!
“…I’m about to go insane…”
By the time we reach the area that got wiped out by the avalanche this last winter, the bugs have reached a fever pitch, and I can ignore it no more, I stop and beg Brian for his bug spray. I’m about to go insane so many of them are on my face and any other bare patch of skin. At least the spray keeps them at bay; they’re really bad right now.
Ahh. The end of the trail. There’s the truck! Can’t wait to get this pack off, and head for town for a burger! The heat has parboiled us all a little bit, so we’re looking forward to some AC. As we approach the truck, we’re stunned by what we see…A flat! Are you kidding me?? I drop my pack, unlock the truck, and holler that I’ll be right back, as I cannot wait any longer to use the facilities…
When I get back the pit crew of Greg and Brian are already at it, getting ready to pull the tire off. Thankfully, the spare has enough air to get us to town! Just one more thing, needing my attention when I get back to civilization…
Our first stop is in the town of Roslyn, and we stop at the bar and grill in town, called the Brick. On a hot, summer weekend, the place is packed, so we feel fortunate to find a place in the back. They’re so busy, in fact, that we’re left to sit there and drool for almost an hour before getting our food. Just made it that much tastier by the time it got to us!!!
This was a great 3 day trek into the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, and the beauty of Jade Lake really made the whole trek worth the effort. That incredible blue water surrounded by the craggy rocks that surround it made this a special place indeed!