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| The lovely Leah Uhlenhopp joined me for a 6 day tour, starting and finishing at Trappers Lake. 9/15/01 We left Aspen Saturday afternoon on a drive along the west side of the Flat Tops. We made it as far as Triangle Park, maybe an hours drive north of Rifle Gap, and camped amongst hunting parties and resplendent aspen. 9/16/01 On to Trappers Lake. Breakfast at the lodge, pack organization and we were off. We left our packs at the Skinny Fish Trailhead, drove the car up to the Wall Lake Trailhead (our anticipated egress), and hiked back 2.7 miles to our packs. Packs on and north east up and over to Lost Lakes. Made friends (?) with the local beaver and set up camp. 9/17/01 Intermittant rain during the night. Woke up to heavy snowflakes falling rapidly. A couple inches accumulated quickly, then slowly tapered off. The sun came out and rivers of snowmelt began to flow, one of them below our tarp! A mad scramble to move everything. Finally got everything dried out and were about to head on our way when rain returned. Set up camp on higher ground. 9/18/01 A nicer day. Traversed below the Lost Lakes Peaks and up to check out the Devils Causeway (where two basins back up to within 10 feet of eachother). Down and a brutal bushwhack (deadfall everywhere--spruce beetle epidemic swept through the area 25 years ago) to Steer Lake to camp. 9/19/01 South across the Bear River, up over a pass, and down the north fork of Derby Creek. Impressive views of the giant slabs of basalt that make up Derby Peak. Camped on the creek near Road Lake. 9/20/01 Headed west up to Island Lake. 9/21/01 Up to the high plateau of the Flat Tops. Down Fraser Creek to Trappers Lake and Mohatma (Leah's beloved VW Jetta). Out to Steamboat on a labrinth of dirt roads (we finally hit pavement in Hayden; we were aiming for Oak Creek!) Refreshing soak at Strawberry Hot Springs with live entertainment from a local drummers circle and flame jugglers/swallowers/dancers! |
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