We like to backpack in the summer and go places where we don't see alot of other folks. Its quieter, we like the wilderness and its easier to manage the dogs. This l.ast weekend we hiked out Center Ridge which gets some traffic but not alog and after spending the night hiked up to Taylor Pass and down Taylor Creek. The first day was cloudy which was fine but Sunday the clouds broke and it was spectacular, which made the 1800 foot climb hot with our packs on but well worth the views of scenery.
(Click the pictures to enlarge)
This is a view from our campsite south towards Kickstep Mountain. Its great to let the dogs loose when not alot of folks or no wildlife can be bothered. They love the freedom and get a good charge out of running around. A tired Malamute is a good malamute.
Lyons Creek isn't major but it does empty glaciers and big snowfields so it would have been really cold and uncomfortable to walk through. Not alot of fun in my book, so when you can find a snow field like we did, its so much more comfortable and easier to cross.
Here's a view from one of our restbreaks looking south. Knee high grasses and plants to walk through, on a relatively steep slope on that nice sunny day made rest breaks really nice.
Mrs Funhog at a real nice flat spot at the toe of Pastoral. Nice thing about going new places is finding great new places we can camp at. The pass is just a hop skip and a jump above us, thank goodness because we're really hot at this point.
Everybody gets to carry aload backpacking, and so do the dogs. Here is Ganik at Taylor Pass, he's got our apres' hike shoes, leashes, and pillows in his pack.
And finally a view of the territory ahead (from the pass) to hike through. Cross country backpacking isn't easy but it sure is might fine.
