Elkhorn Crest Trail - Northern section
I hiked the northern section of the Elkhorn Crest Trail out of Anthony Lake to Summit Lake and back.
Anthony Lake from the day use area.
Here I go.
The first two miles go through lush forest, gaining 1000 feet to Angell Pass on this granite trail that reminds me of the Sierra.
Approaching Angell Pass.
Dutch Flat Lake.
Looking back - Angell Pass is the notch on the right.
Nip and Tuck Pass.
Contouring across Mt. Ruth.
There are a number of slides across the trail on Mt. Ruth - places where sand covers the trail and you would not want to slide down.
The Forest Service has added signage to the confusing junctions near Summit Lake - except for this one last junction. Left is to Summit Lake and right is the continuation of the Elkhorn Crest Trail.
The 1.5 mile spur trail to Summit Lake is itself a great trail.
Finally - Summit Lake! The trail forks soon after this: left heads to 3 camps near the outlet and right heads to 2 camps below the peak. Maybe there are more camps on the other side.
I chose to camp on the mountain side - the view from near my camp. A minor thunderstorm came through at 4pm, with a little hail. And after midnight the wind howled, meaning I got little sleep. My tent has one of those lofts that hang from the top inside - everything was blown out of it as the tent shook.
My camp was on that little peninsula right in the middle.
My zipper tore my down bag lining in the evening and I didn't think much if it - patch it when I get home. Then when it got light, I saw this. Patched with medical tape, the bag now has a cold spot.
I had planned to continue to Twin Lakes, but the wind, the t-storms, the lack of sleep, the long dry trail (you have to carry your entire day's water from camp), all sapped by motivation and I headed back. This was my lunch spot near the Lost Lake junction.
Rather than go back to my car and drive home (I had carried 4 day's food after all), I camped that night at Black Lake. 1 mile from the trailhad and I had it to myself.
Sunset at Black Lake.
