Cook Lake
Dickinson Park TH, Popo Agie Wilderness Area,
Shoshone NF July 18th-20th, 2009
Cook Lake
Mandy with Kutz and StoneyDecided to do a little backcountry jaunt out of our favorite trailhead last weekend. Initially we thought we'd take the kiddos, but the grandparents in Casper wanted some entertainment and voluteered to take them for a few days. That was nice. Saturday then, Mandy and I headed up to Dickinson Park with two wooly friends, packed for a few days in the Windriver backcountry.
The trail out of Dickinson Park.
Mandy leads Stoney along (it was Stoney's first time packing in the backcountry).
Pausing for lunch, and a great view of Windriver Peak.
We headed up the Smith Lake trail, hoping to camp at Cook Lake and explore that canyon and cirque a little more the next day. The view just off the trail here overlooks the North Fork drainage Windriver peak dominating the background.
A view of the Cathedral Buttress from Middle Lake.
Mandy wades the creek coming out of Middle Lake with Kutz.
Shad dances with Stoney in the creek.
Stoney's view of Cloverleaf Lake
The next morning as we were getting ready to do some day hiking up the canyon, Stoney somehow pulled his stake and headed for home. He made it just few hundred yards before he got tangled up. Little bugger! We made sure that couldn't have again.
Mendarin Lake cirque
During our layover day at Cook Lake we hike way up into the canyon above it. All sorts of beautiful country up there- waterfalls, lakes, streams- ending in an impressive cirque that surrounds Mendarin Lake.
Mandy poses in a glaciated clearing.
Adventure pose: Shad points out potential ski terrain.
Revealed: The twinkle in Mandy's eye.
The aftermath and path of a huge avalanche (some years old now).
Mandy, on the rocks... above Mendarin Lake.
Good spot for lunch.
"Peek-a-boo!"
On our way back down we took a route that gave us a good look a these spectaluar falls.
A look down the canyon, towards Cook lake.
Looking back up the canyon.
Nap time.
A panoramic view.
YIKES! A pink sasquatch drying off after a mid-afternoon dip! Very rare sighting.
Mandy roasts her dinner while day-dreaming about the day's adventure, particularly the sasquatch sighting.
Captain Llama packer prepares to give a lesson in packing, after slurping a quart of freshly pressed, stout coffee!
Gear for two, all laid out and then packed into the panniers.
Kutz, before and after.
Stoney pauses while Mandy hydrates (her camel back was in Stoney's pannier).Coming out we didn't have enough wieght for two Llamas, so we made Stoney carry our day packs. Good training!
Enjoyed lunch from our perch above the North Fork again.
Mandy strides out with Kutz on the home stretch.
Woohoo! We made it. Back at the trailer.Great trip, good to get out with the Llamas again. Thanks Scott!
posted by Shad Hamilton at 5:32 AM
2 Comments:
I love your blog!
I was hoping you might be able to drop me an email. I couldn't find your address on your blog, but I'm thinking of coming down to Lander in a few weeks and heading into the backcountry for 2 nights. I was hoping you might be able to give me a tip on what the best thing I should see.
Specifically I'm looking for something that's an easy - moderate hike in. Maybe something like 8 miles. Then a place I could set up camp, have a fire, and preferably near a lake. Then the next day I'd like to just do a day hike.
Or, if there's a short loop trail, that could be a possibility too.
Brian,
Glad you enjoy the blog. Sounds like Silas canyon, Atlantic Canyon Stough Creek Lake Basin and or Leg Lake are awesome hikes that go in alpine country in less than 8 miles. All start at THs on the loop road above Lander (15 miles away). I'd reccomend those to start with. I have TRs posted from Silas and Stough creek somewheres throughout the years.
Email me at osguiding@yahoo.com if you have more questions.
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