IntrepidXJ
Explorer
Friday - Sunday, August 10-12, 2012
The Original Trip Report on ADVENTR.CO
I had really wanted to go backpacking in the San Juan Mountains this weekend, but was unable to find anyone that was able to go with me. Since this would only be my third backpacking trip (first time in the mountains), I was a little hesitant to go by myself, but a few days before the weekend had finally arrived I decided that I would take a solo trip up to Ice Lake Basin. I figured that it was a popular area and that I probably wouldn't be the only one camping up there anyway.
After work on Friday I headed south to the San Juan Mountains and drove up to Clear Lake to spend the night before starting my first solo backpack trip on Saturday morning.
Evening clouds reflected on a small lake below Clear Lake.
Reflected Clouds by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
My campsite up near Clear Lake with some sunlight breaking through the clouds and lighting up the peak in the background.
Morning Camp by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
After setting up my camp near Clear Lake I hiked around the basin to take some photos as the sun was setting.
A mountain peak across the valley lit up and reflected.
Peak Reflection by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
A small cascade along Clear Creek.
Clear Creek Cascade by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Once the sun was down I headed right to bed...I would be getting up early the following morning to catch the sunrise. There was no one else up at Clear Lake that evening so I had the place to myself and it was very peaceful up there. I slept well.
While sitting next to Clear Lake the following morning waiting for the sunrise, I turned around and saw this scene. You can see my Jeep and camp on the other side.
Clear Lake Camp by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Then I turned around and caught the alpenglow on the surrounding mountains.
Clear Lake Alpenglow by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
It's amazing just how much the light can change the scene in just a matter of minutes during the sunrise and sunset. This photo was taken just a few minutes after the previous one.
Clear Lake by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Here's another example of how much the light can change a scene in a matter of minutes. This photo was taken just a little bit after the previous two, when the sun was higher up in the sky and filtered through some clouds.
Outlet by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Once the sun was up it was time for a quick breakfast and then to break down camp so I could drive down to the Ice Lake Basin trailhead...which happens to be further down on the same road that took me up to Clear Lake.
While driving down to the trailhead I had a nice view of Ice Lake Basin surrounded by a few 13,000 foot peaks including Fuller Peak, Vermilion Peak and Golden Horn. I would be backpacking up there shortly.
Ice Lake Basin by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Before reaching the trailhead below, I stopped to photograph another waterfall on Clear Creek.
Falling by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
While continuing the drive down, I spotted this interesting scene on the mountain across the valley.
Checkerboard by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
The Original Trip Report on ADVENTR.CO
I had really wanted to go backpacking in the San Juan Mountains this weekend, but was unable to find anyone that was able to go with me. Since this would only be my third backpacking trip (first time in the mountains), I was a little hesitant to go by myself, but a few days before the weekend had finally arrived I decided that I would take a solo trip up to Ice Lake Basin. I figured that it was a popular area and that I probably wouldn't be the only one camping up there anyway.
After work on Friday I headed south to the San Juan Mountains and drove up to Clear Lake to spend the night before starting my first solo backpack trip on Saturday morning.
Evening clouds reflected on a small lake below Clear Lake.
Reflected Clouds by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
My campsite up near Clear Lake with some sunlight breaking through the clouds and lighting up the peak in the background.
Morning Camp by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
After setting up my camp near Clear Lake I hiked around the basin to take some photos as the sun was setting.
A mountain peak across the valley lit up and reflected.
Peak Reflection by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
A small cascade along Clear Creek.
Clear Creek Cascade by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Once the sun was down I headed right to bed...I would be getting up early the following morning to catch the sunrise. There was no one else up at Clear Lake that evening so I had the place to myself and it was very peaceful up there. I slept well.
While sitting next to Clear Lake the following morning waiting for the sunrise, I turned around and saw this scene. You can see my Jeep and camp on the other side.
Clear Lake Camp by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Then I turned around and caught the alpenglow on the surrounding mountains.
Clear Lake Alpenglow by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
It's amazing just how much the light can change the scene in just a matter of minutes during the sunrise and sunset. This photo was taken just a few minutes after the previous one.
Clear Lake by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Here's another example of how much the light can change a scene in a matter of minutes. This photo was taken just a little bit after the previous two, when the sun was higher up in the sky and filtered through some clouds.
Outlet by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Once the sun was up it was time for a quick breakfast and then to break down camp so I could drive down to the Ice Lake Basin trailhead...which happens to be further down on the same road that took me up to Clear Lake.
While driving down to the trailhead I had a nice view of Ice Lake Basin surrounded by a few 13,000 foot peaks including Fuller Peak, Vermilion Peak and Golden Horn. I would be backpacking up there shortly.
Ice Lake Basin by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Before reaching the trailhead below, I stopped to photograph another waterfall on Clear Creek.
Falling by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
While continuing the drive down, I spotted this interesting scene on the mountain across the valley.
Checkerboard by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
