We decided to go on a morning hike to see some of the lakes above Pearl Lake in the upper reaches of Blackcap Basin. There are no trails up here. The terrain is open enough that you can pick your way easily across the mountains toward the treeless alpine lakes.
We first came upon Division Lake.
Next came Battalion Lake.
There are gorgeous wide-open views no matter which way you look.
Looking down on Pearl Lake from above.
This might be Soldier Lake (unnamed on the topos).
Heading out across the vast expanse of granite in search of more lakes.
Looking down on Ewe Lake.
Mount Goddard peaking over the shoulder of Little John Mountain with Ram Lake. One of these days, I need to climb that mountain.
Ram Lake is really striking with the dark metamorphic rock intruding at one end of the water.
Climbing up and away from Ram Lake looking out toward Lightning Meadow, Blackcap Mountain, and to the right up in those mountains are several other lakes (Rainbow Lake, Confusion Lake, Valor Lake, and Ambition Lake).
Lightning Meadow was full of water this year. I believe there are some new camping and fire restrictions around Lightning Meadow which is pretty funny since almost no one ever goes to that meadow anymore.
Spying Pearl Lake in the distance with Finger Peak looming large in the background. We would have come through a second pass to the left of Finger Peak if we had been able to go through the first pass where we encountered snow.
Above Division Lake, we spied a mature adult bald eagle. When my parents were in Blackcap Basin about a half dozen years ago, they also saw a bald eagle. I wonder if it is the same eagle or a descendant. The only reason eagles are able to live at this high of elevation is because the lakes have been stocked with fish.
We found this cute little frog baking in the sun far away from any water near Division Lake. We helped him get to a little puddle of water so that he wouldn’t cook in the sun.
One last view before heading back down to Pearl Lake.