While snow conditions were good (snowshoes were not needed), there was substantially more snow on this trail than the one we took the day before. This was probably because the Pawnee Pass Trail stays at a lower (forested) elevation for longer, as well as being a little closer to the Continental Divide. While a lot of snow has melted, there are still places where the snow is probably 10 feet deep in the woods. Here is a comparison of the trailhead in February and July:
One more comparison showing how much snow has melted:
While it's amazing how much snow was on the ground back in February, it's even more amazing how much still remains further up the trail. Here Laura crosses a bridge that has been totally submerged by snow melt. At first, I didn't even realize there was a bridge here!!
Shortly into the hike, our feet were soaked, and would remain soaked for the rest of the day. After losing the trail frequently in the first few miles and being greatly slowed by the massive amounts of snow, we were greeted by this ridiculous waterfall above Long Lake:
Words (and pictures) cannot describe this insane waterfall. Raging melt water had punctured a hole in this giant snowbank, but then somehow retreated behind the snow and disappeared. It didn't even look real when we were there. If it weren't for the roar of the raging water, you'd swear it was an optical illusion. I'm certain I'll ever see a waterfall this awesome again; I don't know how you could possibly top it. Perhaps if a kayaker came shooting out of it, or something equally preposterous happened. But even that probably wouldn't seem odd, since the waterfall already seemed to defy all physical laws. A closer view:
After soaking it in, we climbed around the waterfall and discovered its source: Lake Isabelle.
At this point the trail was completely obscured by snow, so we again just climbed towards our destination.
My thoughts of glissading were soon interrupted by this feathery fellow. A Ptarmigan!!!
The birds have shed their winter coats, and blend in pretty well with the rocks now. They are easily approached and I was able to snap some good shots thanks to the aforementioned beast lens. In the first photo you can see their unusual feathery feet and legs.
At this point, I still hadn't seen a single marmot, and wouldn't the rest of the day. I got a few brief glimpses of pikas, but nothing else. Thankfully the ptarmigan was a nice change of pace and also a willing photographic subject.
After reaching the pass and summiting Pawnee Peak we turned back quickly as there were threatening clouds to the west. We skipped a few good glissades that may have been overly steep (according to someone else...). I wasn't going to pass up an opportunity at the next major snowfield though!
After the first glissade, prior skepticism vanished and glissade mania set in; everyone was having an awesome time. We hiked up one snowfield two extra times, just so we could glissade down again. Despite miserably wet feet, all discomfort was forgotten. Here Laura races down the second slope:
We reached the flat part of the trail way to soon and some sadness set in, knowing our fun was over. Despite the general lack of wildlife, it turned out to be an epic adventure, as the glissading was once again the highlight of the day. Next winter is going to be crazy!!!
I am jealous of this physics-defying waterfall sighting..........SUPER COOL!
ReplyDeleteStill unclear on how it is covered with snow, please explain. Also, when you ascended to the lake above, did you climb OVER this awesomely dangerous raging (Frozen?) water?!?>!??
The lake and waterfall outlet both freeze in the winter, and then become covered in a lot of snow. The area where you can see the waterfall must be thinner, as a hole has melted in the snowbank. The water is flowing behind the snow, it never actually spills out as I inferred. I imagine the hole is already much bigger now (a week later), and this phenomenon is different each year. We climbed through the woods to the right of the waterfall, where it was not dangerous.
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