August 26

There was no rain in the night, though Brian has significant dew. With most of us dry, packing up will be much quicker. I rehydrate hash brown potatoes, onion and peppers. Andrew makes the gravy as I heat bacon stripes in the frying pan. The oil and the frying pan makes the hash crisper and tastier than usual. We clean up and get on the trail by 8:40 am.

We climb out of the Island Lake basin and head towards Lester Pass. The small lakes and ponds in this section are a deep algae green and not the crystal clear water we have been enjoying. Along the way we see a marmot and later some docile grouse. We pause briefly at the pass, enjoying the views in all directions, then press on. During our lunch break at an unnamed lake it begins to rain. We scramble to filter enough water to race the rain to upper Cook Lake. At a water crossing Andrew realizes he no longer has his sun glasses, so hikes back to our last rest spot and finds them. Along the trail a couple of backpackers report that a ranger had given out $130 fines for camping too close to the lake or trail at Eklund Lake.

At upper Cook Lake we find a decent camp and head off to fish, swim, and gather water. The fishing is great, with Brian proclaiming this is what he expected. Later Brian complains that the fishing is actually a bit too easy, and a little more challenge would be nice. Mike and Andrew clean two brown trout we did not release, while Brian and I prepare the rest of the burrito dinner. Mike cooks the fish in foil on the fry pan and we all declare the entire day a success.

Tomorrow we hike to Eklund Lake where we hope to find a legal site to avoid that less than fine ranger’s fines.