Birch Lake day hike

Evan and I spent the morning hiking to Birch Lake in the Jewel Basin. It's a 3 mile hike to the lake, plus another 1/3 of a mile along the lake to our chosen lunch spot. I tried to get him to hike around the lake before we headed back, but I knew I was pushing my luck. Evan didn't want to go on a 6 mile hike to begin with. He wanted me to pick something shorter, but I really wanted him to see this spot and I couldn't think of another hike that could compare to this in terms of beauty and accessibility, so I made him go. He wasn't happy and he let me know several times... After about an hour of being out on the trail though, things began to lighten up and get fun.

 There were lots of wildflowers along the way. Oh, and bees.


It's August 5th, and I was a little surprised to see so many flowers. It seems everything happens here a little late. The back side of the ridge was still full of snow and impassable just a couple weeks ago. Usually by October there are snow drifts accumulating there again. The short time we can enjoy this area each year is precious, and I don't mind leaving the grass a little shaggy, complete  with a few dry spots from neglect if it means I can spend time in the Jewel.

 There is still a small patch of snow up on the mountain there. It's slowly melting off into Martha's lake in the small valley down below.

 I liked the way the light was raking across the rock in this picture.

 This is our first view of Birch Lake after rounding a corner on the trail. Bam!

I always wish I would have taken more pictures. We did have a good time though, and these are always   special trips for me. I love taking Evan on trips like this, and although he fights it I think he ends up liking them too. If not now, I think he will look back on them some day and appreciate them.