Backpackin4ever: May 2016

Blanca Lake

Last year i set out on an epic one night backpacking trip to explore the upper and less packed reaches of Blanca Lake.
The lake it's self is deserving to be on every hiker's list. But I was looking for solitude and a solid challenge. So I found another way to enjoy the super popular Blanca lake but from many different angles.

Sunset from camp

Instead of hiking down into the lake I hiked up onto the east ridge above Blanca lake for the night. I bivy sacked above a lovely alpine rock outcropping with views of the lake, Kyes Peak, the Columbia Glacier along with Glacier Peak and Mt Rainier.

Columbia Peak and glacier from camp

Day two, I had planned to Climb Kyes Peak and head out the same way I hiked in but plans changed.
In the early morning as i started my ascending route of Kyes Peak I came across three fellow backpackers who had just finished packing up camp. They too had the same goal in mind, Kyes Peak.
So together up the talus fields we climbed.

Heading up to the ridge and find the climber's trail with Monte Cristo Peak in the middle

Once on the ridge proper the views were breath taking and at the same time my stomach was tense as the climber's trail nears many shear cliffs.

On top of the ridge with Blanca lake below

Looking up to Kyes Peak with Glacier Peak on the right

Next we ascended a small snowfield/glacier to reach the summit block. The summit block is steep with some lose scree and requires a hard scramble to the top. At about 30 feet from the top i decided to call is quits as the others gave up and were heading back down the trail.

Heading down the summit block of Kyes Peak

The 30 feet I didn't climb i'm sure is the highest class of scrambling there is and being the lone climber now I optioned to stay safe. Plus we still had a long journey back to our cars and time was not on our side.
After catching up with the three hikers we all decided to take the longer but more scenic route back to the trailhead. The three hikers shared how their friends did the same scenic route a weekend ago. I was game, especially after hearing that it required hiking on and along side the Columbia Glacier.

The Columbia Glacier from near Kyes Peak

Making our way down to the Columbia Glacier was not an easy task. Once the northern reaches of the glacier can be seen the climb down became steep with very loose rock and scree. Our boots were quickly taking in small rocks and pebbles.
Once on the Glacier the temps dropped and the steepness ceased. It was my first time hiking on a glacier and it felt so awesome.

Hiking atop the Columbia Glacier

Any glacier travel has potential to be very dangerous. The Columbia Glacier on a typical glacier scale is small and we maneuvered it very easily but slowly constantly rerouting ourselves around any possible crevasses or possible weakness in the ice.

The scenic Columbia Glacier

After an hour the awesomeness turned to an eagerness to feel solid ground.
Once our feet arrived on solid ground again we were overjoyed. We hiked alongside the creek that flowed from the glacier and past the twin falls.

The Twin falls

Soon we came to Blanca lake at dusk. It was turquoise blue and perfectly still. A great way to end an amazing trek. Then back to the normal trail tread to hike out to the trailhead.
You simply gotta check out Blanca Lake. It really is what everyone says, simply spectacular.