So the third time really is the charm. Today (3rd of March 2007) Morgan and I got to Chasm Lake. And, what's really important, we also got back.
Previously (January) I wrote about Serega's and my attempt on Chasm Lake this December. We didn't reach it, but today we had a better luck. The weather was picture-perfect, practically no wind, and very warm. Snow conditions were perfect, I just can't find a better adjective to describe them. The trail was very well packed both below and above timberline, so we simply hiked to Chasm Junction. Snow is really deep there. Here is a little bridge (just before the timberline):
and a buried sign:
It was also very clear, no haze at all. This picture was taken quite before Chasm Junction, but the Diamond of Longs is very clear:
It still took a bit over 2 hours to get to Chasm Junction (for map see here), but it was much easier than during the December hike (when it took 4 hours of VERY strenuous hiking). Incomparably easier, in fact. Once we passed Chasm Junction, we saw the main obstacle, the steep snow field. In late summer and early autumn the trail goes lower, first to the rangers cabin and then up to the lake. 
The distances in mountains are confusing. Here is a photo that gives a better idea of the size of the snow slope:
I can't say for sure, but I think during summertime the higher route turns into a system of narrow vegetated ledges separated by rock slabs, making it practically impassable. It's a whole different story with snow - you can easily walk on snow-covered slabs (if snow conditions allow). But still you really don't want to fall. We didn't have snow axes with us, so we used snowshoes for self-belay:
After traversing these snow slopes, we got to the Chasm Lake. It's just an amazing place, surrounded by rock walls. Here is a view of the Diamond, probably the most famous alpine big wall in the US:
Here is Morgan standing on the lake:
After a brief rest we headed back. Here is a good shot of Morgan traversing the snow. It's pretty steep, as you can see. It's a very fun traverse:
Here is the a close-up of the route we took:
It took us 3 hours and 40 minutes to get to the lake and a bit less than 2 hours to get back to the parking lot. All in all, it was one of the best days out ever.
Previously (January) I wrote about Serega's and my attempt on Chasm Lake this December. We didn't reach it, but today we had a better luck. The weather was picture-perfect, practically no wind, and very warm. Snow conditions were perfect, I just can't find a better adjective to describe them. The trail was very well packed both below and above timberline, so we simply hiked to Chasm Junction. Snow is really deep there. Here is a little bridge (just before the timberline):
and a buried sign:
It was also very clear, no haze at all. This picture was taken quite before Chasm Junction, but the Diamond of Longs is very clear:
It still took a bit over 2 hours to get to Chasm Junction (for map see here), but it was much easier than during the December hike (when it took 4 hours of VERY strenuous hiking). Incomparably easier, in fact. Once we passed Chasm Junction, we saw the main obstacle, the steep snow field. In late summer and early autumn the trail goes lower, first to the rangers cabin and then up to the lake. 
The distances in mountains are confusing. Here is a photo that gives a better idea of the size of the snow slope:
I can't say for sure, but I think during summertime the higher route turns into a system of narrow vegetated ledges separated by rock slabs, making it practically impassable. It's a whole different story with snow - you can easily walk on snow-covered slabs (if snow conditions allow). But still you really don't want to fall. We didn't have snow axes with us, so we used snowshoes for self-belay:
After traversing these snow slopes, we got to the Chasm Lake. It's just an amazing place, surrounded by rock walls. Here is a view of the Diamond, probably the most famous alpine big wall in the US:
Here is Morgan standing on the lake:
After a brief rest we headed back. Here is a good shot of Morgan traversing the snow. It's pretty steep, as you can see. It's a very fun traverse:
Here is the a close-up of the route we took:
It took us 3 hours and 40 minutes to get to the lake and a bit less than 2 hours to get back to the parking lot. All in all, it was one of the best days out ever.
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