Number 1 Hike - Lost Lake

We were going to walk up to the Harding Ice Field at Exit Glacier but got there and were reminded - no dogs.  We had Tucson and wanted to take him as he has sat around in the RV all week while we worked.  So we went with our 2nd choice Lost Lake Trail.  The entire trail runs 16 miles. Either end is 7 miles to the lake and the lake is 2 miles long.

As we were heading to the trail head, we heard the bugle of a Moose.

 The dead trees are covered with a thick moss

 The ground is covered in moss, and that wonderful rain forest flora.

 We get our first glimpse of a river below

and Tucson gets his watering holes

 There's some narrow trails along the way

At an opening we see a waterfall across the Valley

 Looking back I think I can see Resurrection Bay but Gary thinks it's just the fog

I spot a black bear across the valley - probably foraging for berries

We reach the turn-off for the Cabin so we are 4 miles into the hike

 

The trail opens up into a meadow but the mist/fog is fairly heavy

We stop at a bridge and sit and have lunch.  The view isn't half bad

 Love this boardwalk made from slabs of tree trunks

 The Mist looms ahead and I think maybe we should look for Gorillas

 It is a fairly busy trail and we get passed by a dozen or so mountain bikers.

 Maybe this is the Peak of the trail at 2200 feet

 Nope still a ways to go

Time to take a break

 Tucson loves the Tundra!

 The fog is lifting a bit and we see this biker heading up the ridge.  We decide to continue on to the end of the ridge and then make a decision whether to continue.  It is almost 2 and we started at 10.

 Tucson is up for it

 A glimpse of the Lake comes into view

 and suddenly the clouds lift and we find we have been surrounded by mountains.

 I want to sing the Hills are Alive from the Sound of Music

 A quick shot of me and Tucson before the fog rolls back in

My favorite shot of Gary and Tucson - Gary had put my coat over him because the flies were bothering him

 We didn't hike the final mile down to the Lake as the fog was coming back in and we have a 6 mile hike back

The return trip we have some sunshine and a view of Resurrection Bay in the distance

 Tucson found a creek to swim in and had a blast running around in circles.

 Wildflowers are out.

Didn't even know this view was there on the way to the Lake - it was covered in fog

 We had to run into over 30 dogs on this hike.  At one point a group of 8 women and 6 dogs passed us the other way - they had camped at the Lake overnight.

 Back to the Truck and Tucson is out for the duration.

When we got into the truck Gary found a voice mail message from our Boss saying he was trying to buy us all dinner from the Trail Lake Lodge and when were we coming back.  We caught him just before his was heading out to pick up the food so we came back home to Burgers and wine - great timing!  Thanks Gary!