[BobW]

Yet another Larch Lake report follows: My wife Lindie, dog Marley and I spent a long weekend at High Camp this past weekend. We had never had a chance to see Larch trees showing their fall colors, so were looking forward to the trip. The weather wasn’t what we had hoped, but it didn’t turn out as bad as we had feared either. We really enjoyed High Camp. The owners, Don and Chris are the nicest people. They made us and everyone else feel very welcome. And best of all, they are very dog friendly during the fall season. Thursday (Lake Julius, Loch Eileen and Lake Donald) We set out shortly after arriving for Lake Julius. Lindie was feeling under the weather, so she went back after about 10 minutes. Marley and I continued on to Lake Julius, and then to Loch Eileen. I crossed the outlet for Eileen, so I could scout around for the route to Lake Donald. I kept going “just a little further”, until, next thing I knew, I was on small ridge looking down on the Lake.

Larch

Route between Loch Eileen and Lake Donald.

Route to Lake Donald

Marley enjoying the fall colors on the route up to Lake Donald

Lake Donald

Larch on the ridge behind Lake Donald

View of Loch Eileen on return from Lake Donald

Larch on ridge behind Lake Donald

Marley is taking in the view of Lake Julius

Larch on the cliffs above Lake Julius

Friday (Chiwaukum Lake, Larch Lake and Cup Lake) The forecast called for Friday to have the nicest weather, and the plan was for me to head up to Larch Lake by myself, since it was a little out of Lindie’s range. Marley cried so much when I put my boots and pack on, that we relented and let him come as well. We headed out on the Sunset Meadow trail, which quickly climbs McCue Ridge. From there, I followed the trail along the ridge until it intercepted the Forest Service trail down to Chiwaukum Lake. Continued through Ewing Basin onto Larch Lake. The colors in Ewing Basin were amazing. Decided to continue up to Cup Lake. Great views from the lake. Met a couple from High Camp as I was leaving Larch Lake on the way down, and a trail work party in Ewing Basin.

Larch on the cliffs above Lake Julius

Morning view of the lake.

Ewing Basin

Ewing Basin was my favorite part of the hike to Larch Lake

Ewing Basin

Larch in Ewing Basin

Larch Lake

View of the lake from the route up to Cup Lake

View from the outlet

This is as far as Marley would go, after he slipped on a loose rock

Saturday (McCue Ridge, High Meadows, Lake Donald) Don lead a hike up McCue Ridge to High Meadows, and then back down by Lake Donald, The weather had finally arrived by Saturday, but as we left High Camp, we had fog, but no rain. We headed back up the ridge by the same route I had taken the previous day. We left the trail shortly after entering Alpine Lakes Wilderness, and followed the ridge, eventually reaching High Meadows, where it started to rain. After a wet lunch, we dropped down to Lake Donald, and then returned to High Camp via Eileen and Julius.

McCue Ridge

McCue Ridge

McCue Ridge

McCue Ridge

McCue Ridge

High Meadows

High Meadows

High Meadows

Tarn

Lake Donald

Loch Eileen

[yukon222]

Excellent set of pics. I really like the mix of colors, red and gold, with a touch of fog. Well done!

[loper]

Gorgeous!

[Dayhike Mike]

[silence]

great pix ... my fave

High Meadows

[Gil]

Very nice report. I love the soft quality of the light -- beautiful!

[Sadie's Driver]

Very pretty - I had no idea there were so many Larch up at Scottish Lakes - but then, I've only been there in the middle of winter and never paid any attention! Lovely pics - calendar photos perhaps???

[Scrooge]

McCue Ridge

High Meadows

Fine, moody pictures of an under-appreciated area.