Goodwin Lake On A Cloudless Day

I woke up tired and sore.  (Actually, I think exhausted would fit the bill better, but that’s not the point here.)  I guess fishing all day in the hot sun really does take it out of you.  But better to wake up tired on a vacation – it means you’re doing something right!

Anyways, today’s objective for us was to hike up to Goodwin Lake, which sits somewhere below Jackson Peak in the Gros Ventre Wilderness.  It’s a spot that I haven’t been too in a few years, and one of the high lakes that I’ve always enjoyed hiking up to, so I was excited to get back up there.  After a surprisingly rough ride to the trailhead, we began our way up on this picture-perfect cloudless day.

One of the first good views we got of the Tetons

My mother enjoying the still abundant wildflowers up high.  (Lower down they pretty much done and over with).

As we approached the lake, the trail ventured into the Wilderness.

Looking northwest towards Yellowstone.  Only upon seeing sights like this valley, with the forest decimated, do you truly realize the impact the pine beetles are having on the intermountain west (jerks!).

The hike went along smoothly surprisingly quickly, and before we knew it, we were seeing this view.

The shores of lake Goodwin also showing the impact of the pine beetles.  Man, this place is a tinder box.

It’s a really beautiful spot.  Wish we had brought the fly rods as we saw a few fish cruising about.

We had some lunch up there, enjoying the cold breeze coming through before heading back back down towards the valley.

Still no clouds on our way down.

Man, what a perfect day to be up in the mountains, not a cloud to be seen.  We did spend some time out on Flat creek this evening, but that didn’t go so well.  Tomorrow we’re off for a few days (of fishing!) in Yellowstone.  I hope the tourists aren’t too obnoxious at this point in the year…