Emerald Lake Loop and Basin...and paddling down the aisle

Before I forget to mention it, Wednesday night, August 12, we had great seats for the annual Persied Meteor Shower. The sky didn't really get dark until 11 pm, but then, within 15 minutes, we saw 7 great meteors flash by. It was a real treat to be in a "dark sky" location.

Today's hike turned out to be a tad more strenuous than we wanted after the past three days ( 7.8 miles; 104 floors; and exactly 5 hours), but we were able to experience beautiful Emerald Lake and I think refigured out how to enjoy very popular hikes - plan to do them in the rain. Tim describes Emerald Lake Circuit in his book and calls it a beautiful walk and the easiest hike presented in his book. We added the Emerald Basin Trail, off the Circuit trail, that leads to an impressive natural amphitheater carved out of the rugged walls of the President Range. Yesterday we were on the east side of the range, today on the west.

When we began the hike the lake was still and provided a reflection of the surrounding mountain peaks.

Emerald Lake Lodge is located close to the main parking lot at the southwest edge of the lake. They rent canoes and just as we were beginning the circuit there was thunder and those out in the canoes came scurrying back to shore.

Emerald Lake

trail beside the lake

At the north end of the lake, Emerald Basin Trail branched north and continued through light forest before the grade steepened and the forest thickened as we continued along a ridge above a rushing stream. 

Just at the end of the trail we left the forest and emerged in a large meadow facing a rock-wall with...

a glacier to the right and run-off that creates the stream that we had been following.

The east side of the amphitheater had a wall laced with waterfalls. I can see five in the picture above. Sometimes they look like they are emerging from the side of the mountain.

On the left side are two more waterfalls that are adding their run-of to the stream.

We enjoyed our lunch sitting on the rubble that fills the amphitheater and borders the stream.

View down the valley from our lunch spot.

Back on the main circuit trail of Emerald Lake we took this picture of the basin and the glacier on the right side of the peak (mountains in the background).

As we were about 3/4 of the way around the lakeside trail this canoe went by. I called out to ask if this was a wedding and they said, "Yes!" That's the Father-of-the-Bride paddling the canoe, the Flower Girl and Ring Bearer, and, of course, the Bride. They were in high spirits and turned the canoe around so I could take this picture. The Father called out that he was "paddling the Bride down the altar." Fortunately, at this time, just before 4 o'clock when the ceremony was scheduled at the far end of the lake, there was a break in the weather and it did not rain on their wedding. What a destination wedding!