July 25
Big Sandy Lake to Big Sandy Lodge – 18 miles
Route: Big Sandy Lake * Jackass Pass * Cirque of the Towers * New York Pass * Shadow Lake * Big Sandy Lodge
Photo journal:
Morning light on lake on the way up Jackass PassFirst glimpse of the Cirque of the Towers ~ Why NotMorning light ~ Arrowhead LakeTop of Jackass PassCirque of the Towers ~ Lonesome LakeJust me and my shadowGotta love those lake reflections ~ This is one of the best ~ Lonesome Lake in the Cirque of the TowersFamous Pingora Peak ~ look closely and there are climbers on the face!View of our next destination ~ New York Pass (middle)Wired taking a small break to look back at the CirqueNice grassy ramps and rock to climb up the passCornice at the top of New York PassView from the top of New York PassOn top of New York PassWhy Not on topWired descending down New York Pass on talus and boulders ~ The guidebook suggested the middle gully. It was hard to tell from the top which one was the middle ~ We did pick the easiest.Why Not descending the loose talusView looking from the bottom. It is clear from here the optional gullies.Wired hanging out before dinner at Big Sandy LodgeFamily style meals at the Big Sandy Lodge ~ We chose to hike 10 miles out for food resupply, showers, laundry, hot meals (included with lodging), and a soft cozy bed. The lodge is rustic and very friendly to hikers.View from the Big Sandy Lodge ~ Mud Lake
After borrowing from Why Not some of this very tasty, salty, spicy, lightweight, and tangy seasoning, I was hooked. I sprinkle it on everything: potatoes, all my dinners, and noodles. I store mine in a small zip lock pill pouch I buy from Walgreens.
Second on the tasty list is Tapatio Hot Sauce. After hiking the Continental Divide Trail in 2013, I have carried these little pouches of goodness on every trip. Basically you can pour it on anything. Yum.
I just love the Cowboy Blessing. Thanks for seeing in it the beauty of the life outdoors and bothering to photograph it.
The Jackass Pass photo is pretty funny. Gotta have as many laughs as you can.
The Me & my shadow photo is great too. It’s easy to see it is you in your trucker hat and pig tails! (or pony tails, hope I got that right, ha)
That Cornice photo looks very intimidating. Glad it looks as if you could top out on the talus rather than that icy steep wall.
Many lovely photos in this post. My favorite is the View from the Big Sandy Lodge ~ Mud Lake. It is all so surean and calming.
Welcome back home. I hope your school year goes well. I’m sure you already have plans for next summer vacation already brewing in your head if not already on the books!
Absolutely stunning… an adventurer’s playground… The lonesome lake picture was my fave.. and again with the steepness!! with sliding rock?? Dang! Someday I hope to be fit enough to do this route.. well, fit and fearless enough. 🙂
Ahh those lake pics. Funny how we all have our favorites: clouds, mountains, sunsets, sunrises, and the lakes. It is so fun when the lighting is just right.
Hey Rockin! So glad you put these pictures up! They are FANTASTIC!! Thanks for sharing! You know we live through You, Wired, and Why Not! All of your adventures mean so much to us. Now, still following Wired and Drop N Roll. The summer isn’t over for us yet! Have a wonderful school year! Enjoy your HYOH’s….. By the way, haven’t seen much about your kiddo’s. I hope they are still hiking too!
Hello Big Granny,
You are so sweet. No the summer is not over yet.
Ahh you asked about the kids. Grant (Silly Chili) is a pediatric ICU nurse in Nashville. He is doing a lot of rock climbing and plans to hike the PCT in 2017. Bryn (Stealthy) just started teaching 5th grade in Riverside and is planning on joining Grant on the PCT next summer. It is going to be a great summer.
Congrats on the big finish.
I just love the Cowboy Blessing. Thanks for seeing in it the beauty of the life outdoors and bothering to photograph it.
The Jackass Pass photo is pretty funny. Gotta have as many laughs as you can.
The Me & my shadow photo is great too. It’s easy to see it is you in your trucker hat and pig tails! (or pony tails, hope I got that right, ha)
That Cornice photo looks very intimidating. Glad it looks as if you could top out on the talus rather than that icy steep wall.
Many lovely photos in this post. My favorite is the View from the Big Sandy Lodge ~ Mud Lake. It is all so surean and calming.
Welcome back home. I hope your school year goes well. I’m sure you already have plans for next summer vacation already brewing in your head if not already on the books!
Warren you never miss a thing! Seriously!
Thank you again. Such motivation you give me.
And yes planning, planning, and more planning.
Beautiful photos!
Janet my friend,
I see you are out and about. Love hearing from you.
Absolutely stunning… an adventurer’s playground… The lonesome lake picture was my fave.. and again with the steepness!! with sliding rock?? Dang! Someday I hope to be fit enough to do this route.. well, fit and fearless enough. 🙂
Ahh those lake pics. Funny how we all have our favorites: clouds, mountains, sunsets, sunrises, and the lakes. It is so fun when the lighting is just right.
Hey Rockin! So glad you put these pictures up! They are FANTASTIC!! Thanks for sharing! You know we live through You, Wired, and Why Not! All of your adventures mean so much to us. Now, still following Wired and Drop N Roll. The summer isn’t over for us yet! Have a wonderful school year! Enjoy your HYOH’s….. By the way, haven’t seen much about your kiddo’s. I hope they are still hiking too!
Hello Big Granny,
You are so sweet. No the summer is not over yet.
Ahh you asked about the kids. Grant (Silly Chili) is a pediatric ICU nurse in Nashville. He is doing a lot of rock climbing and plans to hike the PCT in 2017. Bryn (Stealthy) just started teaching 5th grade in Riverside and is planning on joining Grant on the PCT next summer. It is going to be a great summer.