Jacques Lake

A rainy day hike and one of the longest we've hiked since the last time we hiked to Jacques Lake two years ago. We donned our rain gear and as Frederick was studying the sign that announced that the first part of the trail was flooded, we were approached by a young woman who asked if she could hike with us because she was nervous about bears and hiking by herself to the campground at the end of Jacques Lake. She was carrying a huge pack plus carrying a tent and sleeping bag - she said it weighted 40 pounds.

Along the way we came upon this grouse (?) by the side of the trail. When she moved down the trail,  two little grouse were exposed, they had been sheltering under her to keep out of the rain.

It took us over three and a half hours to hike the 7 1/2 miles to the campground at the northern tip of Jacques Lake. Here's Cheyenne relieved to have made it! Maybe it was because of the rain, but there were no other campers in the campground and Cheyenne decided that she would not be comfortable there by herself. She asked if she could hike back out with us.

But first - lunch!  See the buckets hanging from the trees above Frederick's head? There are pulleys that allow  you to pull your food and toiletries up into the buckets to keep these desirable items away from the bears.

Lunch view - Jacques Lake shrouded in rain clouds.

On the way back we stopped to take a picture of 2nd Summit Lake and a field of yellow buttercups.

Frederick and I helped Cheyenne carry her gear back to the trailhead - Frederick took her sleeping bag and I carried her tent (she needs to get a lighter backpacker tent). Here Frederick is walking along a temporary trail next to the flooded trail. 

Today's hike:

Length - 15.49 miles (24.78 km)

Duration - 7 hours, 48 minutes

Elevation gain - 1,302 feet (345 meters)