Unexpected Surprises

It's Sunday and we are near a trailhead so we saw a lot of hikers going back to thier cars as we hiked up.  They were all smiling and happy.  It set the tone for the rest of the day.  Happy and relaxed.  We hiked back to the CDT and headed north again.  The Knapsack Col alternate came early but we chose to stay on the red route.  

The trail still climbed high above the trees til it was all rock, water, and snow.  We had a few snow fields to cross.  High up a small bird began flying figure eights around us, squaking, and dive bombing our heads.  She must have had a nest nearby.  We climbed up to Shannon pass and after passing through columns of rock we were surprised on the other side by the most beautiful emerald green lake.

 What a treat to the eyes and heart.  In fact it was a day of surprises.  Such as hiking above tree line without worrying about storms as it was a sunny day.  Surprised by the beauty of our surroundings and by all of the happy hikers out enjoying these mountains.  We had just passed the junction where the alternate rejoins the CDT and stopped for a snack when Gadget appeared, then the rest of the group.  They had all taken the alternate and it had been slow going. So even though they left a half day before us we caught up.  We leapfrogged each other the rest of the afternoon.  After keeping my feet dry all day, no small feat, we had to cross a river in the evening.  Pounce went first and I followed.  Then a big surprise.  I slipped and fell and got an impromptu bath in cold water.  Of course as these things go I had an audience on the other side.  I was fine, just cold and wet.  So I had to take off the wet & put my fleece on.  We only had two more miles to go so it was fine and we found a great camping spot.  We are sleeping in so I did not set my alarm.  What a great way to end the day!