Hike to the Shelf Lakes

North Lake

View of Pass

On our second full day in the Snowy's the "Plan" was to do a warm up hike before tackling the big one up to Medicine Bow Peak.  We figured that maybe we could acclimate to the high altitude slowly.  Our legs haven't been the problem it's our lungs which have not accepted the fact that there is far less oxygen at 10,000 feet...not to mention even less at the Peak's 12,024 feet.

Heading back to Pass

We decided to hike out to the Shelf Lakes and possibly free style around Brown's Peak and connect back into another trail leading back to the parking lot.  The trail winds along a series of lakes and out through a pass between the mountains.  Perfect blue bird skies, temperatures in the 60’s and very little wind…terrific day for a hike. 

New stance

Cooper carried our water and sunscreen in his very own doggie pack.  It was the least he could do in exchange for his breakfast and dinner.  He really seems to enjoy the pack even when it throws off his 3 legged pee stance.  After a few false starts he decided that his race horse stance would have to do.  He earned his keep and then some.  Although he took out our knees a few times in his haste to get in front and try to be the 'lead dog'.

Cold swim!

Cooper was pretty excited diving into the cold mountain lake water.  Excited until he realized that these lakes are really deep and he could no longer feel the bottom.  It didn't stop him from splashing around in every lake and stream he could find though.  We ended up with a very dirty dog sleeping in the tent with us that evening. 

Where did that marmot go?

or maybe up here?

Heard it over here...

We hiked out about 4 miles and decided that one rock scramble was all we should do with a dog in tow.  Brown's Peak was a tad too far and we headed back on the same path.  Cooper didn't seem to mind.  He went "hunting" for the critter that kept chirping at him.  He never found the marmots or even the birds, but he had a ball trying.

Rock scramble ahead

There's MOM!

Our total hike was about 7-8 miles which Cooper managed to double with all the extra running.  The crazy dog hiked down into another huge snow field that extended all the way down into the lake.  He saw 'Mom' sitting up hill and took off across the snow field and onto the heavy rocky hill side at a full gallop.  We though he'd break his fool leg and we'd have to carry him out.  Not a happy thought.  He made it with only a few sore toes from the rock scrambles.

Tuckered dog

Equally tuckered Bill

After our hike we headed back to camp for a well deserved nap.  Of course a storm decided to pop up just enough to interrupt nap time and we had to put up the canopy so dinner could be cooked.  Thankfully the heavy rains and winds avoided our little patch of woods.

Waiting

Turning back