Trip Report Details

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Trip Date: 6-Jul-2010
Activity: Trail Hike
Destination: Chester Lake

Report:

After running the gauntlet of sheep meandering on the highway, we reached the Chester parking lot. With fingers crossed that we'd find glacier lilies in bloom, we set off up the trail under cloudy skies. In the parking lot were 2 young men and their boxer dog, a group we were to see later at the lake.

Across the meadow to Mt Chester

Almost no one on the trail. It's in good condition, couple of tiny patches of snow and negligible mud. Despite the clouds we still had great views of all the mountains.

Golden meadow

Yes, there were scads of lilies, vividly yellow, covering the meadow beside the lake. The best I've seen. We did get a bit carried away taking pics but the colours were hard to resist. Other flowers in abundance were the spring beauty, Western anemone and globe.

glacier lily in prime

Western anemone - in the circle

Then it was up to the elephant rocks for lunch. Some graupel sprinkled on us climbing up but once up, the sun came through and we had a pleasant rest.

Ron enjoys the sun: lunch at the Elephant Rocks

Company for lunch

Had some company - a small ground squirrel with an abbreviated tail and a chipmunk with a skinny tail. After lunch, 2 people opted to go up a bit further to see what the flower population was like. The others headed back to the lake and investigated its south side. Here we met again the 2 men & their dog - one had taken his dog far up the snow-covered scree slope and then tried to glissade down. Too soft so the dog & he just trotted back down.

Elephant rocks, Gusty (?) peak behind

Back down the trail to the cars, managing to miss any rain. Temperature about 14 so good for hiking. Thanks to Tony, Anne, Ron and Kathy for a lovely day. C/s/p Dorothy-Ann

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