Day 1 Loop
 we backpacked into shoe box falls |
 to set up a base camp on the ridge to Rhododendren Pond |
 Dan hanging the bear bag |
 visiting the pond |
 Cliff playing with sand |
 and registering at South meadow the next morning |
 an amazing trailside beaver dam |
 we make it to Marcy dam |
 where there are great reflections |
 we climb Phelps with some under the cloud views |
 and then climb Table Top |
 which has views from the scrubby herd path |
 we eat lunch at Indian Falls |
 Dan enjoys his after lunch stream crossing |
 and some trail workers doing fine work |
 reaching treeline and views of haystack |
 climbing higher |
 Is the rock or cliff more unbalanced? |
 climbing much higher |
 cross training: a little lifting |
 great views of the mountains |
 and up close is remarkable too |
 we take a break on the summit |
 have a chat with a bird |
 and descend toward Lake Colden |
 going down helps you feel your knees |
 cliff from a crevice |
 bog on end of Lake tear of the clouds |
 the lake, |
 a break; and broken shoes |
 The Opalescent |
 has great swimming holes |
 and crazy waterfalls |
 we reach Lake Colden |
 and avalanche lake |
 a view of the dike |
 and the hanging trailwdscf0341.jpg |
 the sun is getting low as we leave the lake |
 the mess of an avavanche in avalanche pass |
 we get back to Marcy Dam |
 and enjoy a sunset on our way back to base camp |