 We head out after school/work on the 23rd |
 Battling snow for most of the drive |
 And setting up camp after midnight |
 We get up at 6:15 and head out early |
 getting to Marcy Dam for breakfast |
 and great views |
 hints of sun along the stream as we climb |
 a snowy path |
 to the view from Indian falls |
 lots of snow |
 and pretty trailside views |
 as we climb to our first good view of Marcy |
 The sky has cleared as |
 we reach treeline |
 The peak is right ahead |
 It is just up there |
 Some icy packed snow |
 to climb |
 and the true summit nears |
 We enjoy lunch sheltered from the slight wind |
 Incredible views of artic vegetation and mountains |
 We take amost an hour of rest |
 Claim the top |
 and begin the descent toward Lake Colden |
 Reaching treeline with a view of Skylight |
 we cross Lake tear of the Clouds |
 and descend along the Opalescent |
 We take a needed break at uphill lean-to |
 with its graffiti |
 Great views of flumes |
 and another |
 and ice |
 and a favorite swimming hole is really cool |
 We reach Colden Dam |
 and walk across Lake Colden with mountains all around |
 reaching the cedar swamp at the far end |
 Now on Avalanche Lake |
 awesome ice |
 walls of rock |
 The lake's end is in view |
 Looking back as the sun touches Avalanche mountain |
 Ice in avalanche pass |
 The base of the slide |
 the slide |
 Nate smiles since we are past the hazard |
 Barely pausing to catch our breath at Marcy Dam |
 we enjoy a last view |
 and reach the road as the moon rises |