Thousand Island Lake

After two 11000 feet pass, I'm reconsidering doing JMT. The second one in particular took a toll on me even though it was only half of the elevation gain of the first one. The second one was as emotionally demoralizing as the first one was physically exhausting. It might have been alright if I continued to the top without stopping. Thinking I was almost there, I stopped for a lunch break. Then the pass went on and on. It was like Crags Castle: when you think you are there, another hill appears.

In reality, the first pass were only 1000 feet tall, and the second one 500 feet. But they rose over 2 and 1 mile, respectively, making it a bit of challenge, especially if you are demoralized and carrying 30 lbs backpack.

I didn't sleep well the night before either, despite hiking 10.5 miles. My insomnia must be returning now that the CFS is ebbing. Sleeping well was a silver lining for 13 years and now it's time to say goodbye to it, I guess. I was in a good shape in the morning despite the bad sleep. I flew down to JMT junction from Ediza Lake in no time and started my climb up the first pass. The first pass went by without much drama and I was looking down at the spectacular Garnet Lake.

Garnet Lake and Thousand Island Lake are not exactly above the tree line. But, at about 10000 feet, they should qualify as alpine lakes. They certainly has clear blue water that comes from melt snow. Thousand Island Lake had more islands and peninsulas, but Garnet Lake has deeper blue water. It's more sparking. I'd choose to camp at Garnet Lake instead the next time. Perhaps when I do the JMT.

After the ordeal of the second pass was Ruby Lake, a smaller one with glaciers plunging into it's deep emerald water. Another lake I would've loved to camp at but was not allowed to. It is in the shade of the cliffs; it may be a little cold to camp there.

The Emerald was was anything but. I it didn't have that deep emerald color of Ruby Lake. Maybe because it was sunnier there, but Ruby Lake with it's glaciers looked about ten times better.

Then I was at Thousand Island Lake at last. Maybe I expected a lot, with everybody taking about it and all. But its water, dotted with islands was not as sparking. It felt more stagnant. Maybe Garnet Lake is the same around the shores where camping was allowed. I wouldn't know since I didn't camp there. But after seeing Garnet Lake from 500 feet above, Thousand Island Lake wasn't as satisfying. I'm spoiled by now after seeing so many pristine lakes, I guess.

I walked about half a mile and set up my tent in a peninsula. It seemed like the best spot in the whole lake, but nobody was on it. You need to bushwhack a bit to get to it and maybe that is the reason why. Three aren't too many campers here either.