[btspman]

Hey All, This is my 1st post but I've been reading trail reports and looking at your great pictures for some time. Figured maybe I should come out of the shadows and become and active member of this great community! I hiked up to the Cut Throat Lakes on saturday. I was expecting it to be fairly secluded but to my suprise past at least a dozen people on the way up. In one area the trail passes through a small rock avalanche zone and as I looked ahead I saw a large raptor bird perched on one of the rocks. Well I thought this was just great and I took out my camera and started to slowly sneak ahead so I could grab a good picture of it. I got closer and closer and it didnt fly away. Well this is strange I thought. I took a few photos and ever so slowly inched myself towards it untill I realized it wasnt a bird after all. Just some balanced rocks.... yes I felt like an idiot.... Once at the top there were people everywhere I looked so I went off the trail just a bit till I found a quiet spot where I could eat huckleberries and nap to my hearts delight with no interuptions. On the way down I saw a tree that had obviously been ripped up by a bear (yet to see one yet). And as I soon passed it.. proceeded to roll my ankle. Whenever I wear sandles (as I was) I regret not wearing hiking boots and when I wear boots I regret not wearing sandles. Luckily I just happened to be within a few yards of some other hikers. They saw my mishap and came to see if I was alright. A little sore but everything seemed to be ok. So I continued my now limping hiking back out of the forest. thanks, Geoff On a side note- I havent found any ripe blueberries anytime lately. Just Huckleberries. Am I looking in the wrong spots or is it to early?

[captain jack]

Marion berries are coming in now, a little scronny 'cause we havent had any rain, blueberries will be coming soon, maybe in a month or so. C.J.

[Tim and Angel]

Thanks for the report. This is my all time favorite hike. I went a few years ago and got caught in a rainstorm. The clouds just poured over the hills and mountains and it seemed very enchanting. I was in awe. My dog and I got were drenched. There was a downpour all the way from the lakes to the trail-head. I've never appreciated my truck heater more. I will probably go again later this year. Thanks for posting the photos! I made one my screen saver.