Thursday, July 31. Palisade Lakes. 5 1/2 Miles. 10,650 ft.
I left you last night sitting under the stars optimistic about an evening in the open. After signing off, Drew and I lay in our bags watching quite a show. It included everything; countless stars, shooting stars, lightning, thunder - then a few drops. It rained all night long for God's sake.
The morning dawned promisingly - half blue, half clouds, so Drew and I packed up our wet tent, wet sleeping bags, wet socks, wet boots, wet or damp everything, and hit the trail hoping to beat any bad weather. The final climb to Palisade Lakes is up what is called the Golden Staircase. It was one of the last portions of the trail to be built, and it is easy to see why. The trail is a seemingly endless series of switchbacks etched and blasted into a long steep granite wall - a project seemingly suited to the Army Corps of Engineers.
Drew really struggled up this steep, long ascent. At the top, we had some lunch and then...steady rain. Though we didn't travel far today, with the few additional miles we did at the end of yesterday, we had reached our desired destination. So, after tromping around lower Palisade Lake for some time looking for a suitable tent site - problematic near timberline - we once again set up the tent in the rain, climbed into our bags and fell asleep.
A couple of hours later, we awoke to bright sunshine. I took the opportunity to put everything out for a drying session. What a beautiful spot here between lower and upper Palisade Lakes with Mather Pass looming above. Hopeful weather - cloudy, but clearing. Drew got sick, but ate well and is feeling better.
Stove problems (sputter, then out).
Cool evening. Does this mean storms have passed?
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