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  1. Hiking and Skiing in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
  2. Backpacking

Elbow Lake Backpack Aug08

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  • DSC_6091.JPG

    DSC_6091.JPG

    The hike starts at the public end of the East Fork of Mill Creek Road. Avoiding a private ranch requires both extra climbing and about 1.5 miles. Here, Susie arrives at the Wilderness Boundary sign.

  • DSC_3137.JPG

    DSC_3137.JPG

    Roger, barely visible in deep shawdows, looks at the cliffs which form the ramparts of Sage Creek. At this point, we have probably gained a net 700 feet, but climbed 1000 feet to do it. Most of the needless up and down is on the ranch bypass.

  • DSC_6096.JPG

    DSC_6096.JPG

    Ah, the switchbacks. You climb over 1000 feet, and much of it is exposed to morning and mid-day sun. We had gotten an early (8:15 am) start to the hike, so the switchbacks were not as brutal as they might have been.

  • DSC_6099.JPG

    DSC_6099.JPG

    Looking south toward the southern peaks of the Absaroka Range.

  • DSC_3143.JPG

    DSC_3143.JPG

    Roger takes a much needed breather after the switchbacks change to a long slug up the mountain ridge.

  • DSC_6101.JPG

    DSC_6101.JPG

    Perhaps the most frustrating part of the hike, a bit over 8 miles, is that you have to lose 500 feet and regain it (and more) as you go the final 2.5 miles to Elbow Lake. Here, we are coming into the meadows along the outlet stream of Elbow Lake. We still have 0.4 miles and 200 feet of climbing to go.

  • DSC_3148.JPG

    DSC_3148.JPG

    The south face of the massif that forms the Mt. Cowen ridgeline.

  • DSC_3155.JPG

    DSC_3155.JPG

    At last!! We pulled into the south shore of Elbow Lake, 6.5 hours after we started. This being a Friday night, we would have the place to ourselves. The campsites were definitely well used, understandably.

  • DSC_3159.JPG

    DSC_3159.JPG

    All bathed, Roger relaxes on the rocks, while looking up the valley that climbers use to ascend Mt Cowen.

  • DSC_6105.JPG

    DSC_6105.JPG

    Susie, the original Happy Camper.

  • DSC_6108.JPG

    DSC_6108.JPG

    The next morning, Susie attempts some difficult highlight photography of the surrounding peaks.

  • DSC_6111.JPG

    DSC_6111.JPG

    Unless you are a peak bagger, THE side trip to make is the hanging valley that is northeast of Elbow Lake. There is no real trail, so just follow your nose up the left side of the outlet creek of the lake that sits 600 feet about Elbow Lake.

  • DSC_3169.JPG

    DSC_3169.JPG

    Nothing like some good off trail blowdowns to work out the soreness of yesterday's trail climb.

  • DSC_6119.JPG

    DSC_6119.JPG

    The larger of the two lakes that sit in the hanging valley.

  • DSC_3173.JPG

    DSC_3173.JPG

    Looking south across the smaller of the two lakes.

  • DSC_3175.JPG

    DSC_3175.JPG

    The beauty of the hanging valley made the total of 4300 feet of climbing over two days well worth it.

  • DSC_6123.JPG

    DSC_6123.JPG

    Even at the end of August, flower fields cover the landscape.

  • DSC_3181.JPG

    DSC_3181.JPG

    Pink monkeyflowers and paintbrush.

  • DSC_3188.JPG

    DSC_3188.JPG

    Flowers, flowers and more flowers.

  • DSC_6136.JPG

    DSC_6136.JPG

    The south end of the Mt Cowen massif is formed by Eeny, Meeny, Miny, and Mo. The high point of Mt Cowen is not visible from this, or most other valley angles.

  • DSC_3195.JPG

    DSC_3195.JPG

    Roger climbing up to join Susie for an early lunch. And some MAJOR scenery gawking.

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