Paradise Valley

The Paradise Valley trail to Annette Lake is a natural trail that basically follows the Paradise Valley Creek. The prize is the incredibly colored Annette Lake nestled at the base of the magnificent Mount Temple.

Wildlife for the day includes this gigantic porcupine, about the size of our dog Prince. This picture was taken with the telephoto lens, we weren't going to get too close to this fellow!

There are three major bridges over Paradise Valley Creek. This is #1 with Mount Temple in the background.

Bridge #2 - getting closer to Mount Temple and...

bridge #3. There were also over 10 minor bridges along the trail crossing the tributaries that feed Paradise Valley Creek

Before we stopped at Annette Lake we continued on the trail, to the right along the lake, climbing through stands of alpine larch to the trail's summit atop a... 

major rockslide at the base of Mount Temple.

From the summit we had a view down Paradise Valley and surrounding mountains.

We descended from the summit back to Annette Lake for our lunch. The Lake is an unbelievable color of aqua.

We walked along the Lake to the southeast end for our lunch spot.

Lunch spot from the left.

Part of Mount Temple in the background.

We were glad that the sun was shining and the sky was clear.

More of Mount Temple.

It was hard to get a good picture of Mount Temple because the sun was right behind it. You may be able to see the glacier at the top and my fingers trying to shade the camera from the sun.

Starting back down the trail with Annette Lake and the outlet creek in the center. The trail is on the right.

Back along the trail we could look across the valley and see Sheol Mountain...

get a quick look back at Mount Temple and...

Saddleback Mountain.

Today's hike:

Length - 9.12 miles (14.62K)

Duration - 5 hours, 4 minutes

Elevation gain - 1,470 feet (442 meters)