Another trip down memory lane as we hiked up to Keplinger Lake, nestled under the south face of Pagoda. Twice before I attempted this hike, and only once did I make it to the lake. From Sandbeach Lake we headed up towards Mt Orton, deciding to stay to the north of the ridge, battling rocks and krumholz to finally descend to Hunters Creek where we could hike through meadows still filled with wildflowers. Views of Chiefshead, Pagoda, Longs and Meeker unfolded as we got higher into the valley.
Keplinger Lake lies at the end of the valley, surrounded by rocks and more rocks. The cliffs of Pagoda are so gouged out, they curve back over you at the lake. Sand from all the rocks carpets the bottom of the lake, giving it an incredible blue-green color.
We didn't see another soul after Sandbeach Lake. It made me wonder how many people had visited this remote lake in the years since I was last here?
We came back by hiking up to Orton Ridge directly from the lake below Keplinger Lake. As we ascended the ridge, the mountains kept changing. Shadows from the passing clouds helped define all the massive rock.
From Orton Ridge, I could feel that I was again on top of the world.
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