SNOW -- hike to Albino Part 5

It did not get better -- it started to snow... thankfully it was light. (Later we spoke with a guy who was caught in a whiteout)

Staying in the tent to cook, in a sleeping bag and a down parka

Comfortably enjoying a latte while overlooking Albino Lake..  looking like snow, feeling like snow.

Preparing to head back: warm hat, rain coat rain pants and all the warm clothes. It was about 34F or so.

On the trail, but looking over our shoulders at the weather bearing down on us. Becker Lake in the distance.

More wildflowers... just can't get enough of them!

As we move along, the storm is chasing us. This is a look over our shoulders (and more wildflowers!)

The storm catches us and we get snow for real.. hard to see

In the snow, but not bad

Snowing but still fun!
At the car about an hour later
It stayed cold for the night. Slept in down PJs!

The Hike to Albino chapter is over! What fun!  -- as evidenced by Alicia's smile

Hanging out at Albino -- hike to albino - part 4

Well, after the Grizz encounter, 8 of us stumped off to Albino. Large Groups in the backcountry are not the norm, but this was different. And, Albino was a good choice as it is above treeline, a place that bears generally do not frequent.

our little home overlooking Albino

The group -- Sean (dad) and Bella

Hanging at the fire pit

The Kitchen

 Enjoying Dinner

The fishing was petty good.

A 14" cutthroat --- put back.

Can't get enough of backcountry wildflowers --

Getting up in the AM to some "unusual" weather.

Could it be getting a little bit better? it looks brighter!
Find out in Part 5

A happy couple -- hike to Albino, Part 3

While waiting for the grizz to move on, there was time for rest and picture taking.

A happy couple, but with a grizz and cub, back there among the rocks. 

The Encounter -- hike to Albino Part 2

The previous post, Our Lady of the Lakes, was actually cut short for a while as we were interrupted,,,, for about 45 minutes.

..........  By a Grizzly and her cub.

They were right in the middle of the trail that we had to take, and there was no other way to get around them. So we deployed the obvious strategy -- stay as far away as possible. The Rule is: A Grizz and her cub are NOT to be messed with.

We simply had to wait and see where they would move to. Away from us or towards us. We initially backed up and watched from a distance. They moved slowly arcing a path in front of us and finally moving off. It seemed that the cub chose the way it wanted to go and mom just followed. Cute, but also potentially danger.  Bear Spray was uncovered and prepared for action --- basically a very strong pepper spray.

At the same time, the encounter also included Sean, his family and friends hiking the same trail There were now 8 of us and a bunch of bear sprays -- safety in numbers. At that time, we also chose to join up with them, for safety reasons, and to extend our hike, originally planned for Becker Lake, to Albino. No sense in staying near the bears. We added about 1.25 Miles of separation.

Definitely close .. The Grizz has a big hump on its back -- like the big one in the picture -- the cub is black.

And, after 45 minutes, they move on - continuing left in the photo ... their alternative was to cross the water.. they didn't 

Our Lady of the Lakes - Hike to Albino -- Part 1

This post will be broken into multiple segments -- lots happening here

We planned an overnight hike into the Beartooth Plateau, a location that we hiked in 2003. The area is gorgeous, it is mostly above treeline at 9800'. As it got closer, we decided to spend 2 nights camping in the wilderness, with no WiFi or cell connection or whatever. We actually considered this trip before we left and purchased all new light-weight gear -- Tent, Stove, etc. About 25-30 lbs total each -- which some people would consider heavy for a 2-night.

The route passes by many lakes

Our Lady at Island Lake

Our Lady at Night Lake

Our Lady at Flake Lake

Our Lady at unnamed little pond

Our Lady at Jeff Lake

Our Lady at Mutt Lake

 Our Lady crossing between Mutt and Jeff

 Our Lady at Becker Lake

Our Lady surveying Becker Lake

Our Lady at Albino Lake --- the destination.

Major News Announcement!

We interrupt this blog to announce

K&A 43rd Wedding Anniversary --- spent at Keyser Brown Lake in the Absoraka-Beartooth Wilderness.

More details to follow.

To Beauty with my Beauty

The Ever Beautiful Alicia (TEBA) graciously agreed to hike with me to Beauty Lake -- and obvious selection to be sure.

She sure is color coordinated! .. Beartooth Butte in the background.

Trying not to fall in.

Arriving at Beauty.

Beartooth Ski Area

There is an International Ski and Snowboard Training Ski Area in the Beartooth's. It is open from approximately Mid May to sometime in July. It all depends on how much snow the area received that winter. ... and how soon they can plow the road.

There  is not much there -- a chair lift and some facilities. These are the facilities (ALL of the facilities)

Yes, that is the Eiffel Tower sitting on a toilet!

Camping in the Beartooths

Our two tent solution is working out well... we now have the "great room" and the bedroom... and good news, the campground has bear boxes in all the sites. ... since they actually really do need them!

Average temperatures are about high 75 - low 45. If you get some weather, it could be colder. After all, it is at 9600' or so.

The bedroom, lighted up by a Luci

We take full advantage of the bear box.