Alpine Lakes Wilderness Day 6

28 August 1986.  Rain finally catches us on Thursday.  Not much rain by NW standards but enough to pull out parkas and pack covers.  The rain was intermittent throughout the day--never very hard or a real problem.  Hiking was nice and easy.  We covered four miles into Glacier Lake.  We could still see Mt Daniels and Cathedral Rock from our route--they really dominate this area.  We also got a nice glimpse of Lake Clarice perched high on the west face of Deception Valley.  Our campsite tonight is alongside the Glacier Lake and we have rigged up a novel shelter using two ponchos and just about every piece of rope and cord we have.  Greg even put in a counterweight using his fuel bottle to ensure proper drainage.  With the shelter we can sit outside the tents and comfortably tell stories, take group photos and swat bugs.

Glacier Lake is profoundly beautiful.  I am entranced by the play of light on water:  shimmering waves marching across the surface, reflections of the surrounding peaks and ridges undulating in the waves.  The lake is quiet, a wonderful stillness.  This is the finest day of the hike for me.  Watching the lake this evening gives me a profound sense of peace and contentment; no place on earth could be finer than right here right now.  I've reached Long Trip Nirvana.