Hell for Sure Lake II, July 2012

When one door closes, another one opens. With my wife continuing to be 500+ miles away with our daughter, helping to resolve a family matter I had another weekend to myself. Upon short notice I really had a limited set of areas to choose from. My first prospect was in-fact Hell for Sure Lake, but after considering the mileage I started looking for other areas to explore in 2 days or less. After thinking about where I stood in terms of my physical conditioning over the last 9 months and where I stood in terms of wanting to really put myself to the test to see where I stood in terms of my abilities, both physically and mentally—I said, “What the Hell, let’s go for it.” After stuffing my face with family on Mom & Dad’s tab at Sakura Chaya around 6-8pm Friday night, I went back home and loaded my car with all of my Hiking gear that I had prepped and headed up the hill for the Maxon Trailhead out of Courtright Reservoir. I started hiking around 11:15pm and after my liquid confidence wore-off around 1:45am Saturday Morning, I called it quits and set up my tent in Long Meadows. After a short 5 hrs of sleep, I was out of Long Meadow and headed for Hell for Sure Lake a little after 7am. I made it to the Lake by 1:30, and then went on a massive limited time frame photo opportunity, bagging Red Mountain and swinging to the opposite side of the Red Mtn Basin to get a few shots of Horseshoe Lake. After 11 hrs/15+Miles of non-stop moving and shooting, I took a 2 hr nap then had my first cooked meal of the trip around 8:30, just before the sun went down. I finally got a serious chunk of much needed rest—a good 8+hrs worth. I was up and out of my tent at 6am sharp to have another cooked meal and pack up my stuff, and then I was off and headed down the mountain around 7am Sunday morning. I made it back to Courtright around 2:15 Sunday afternoon, just a little over 7hrs. I managed to get all the pictures and video done and loaded to my website, and put away all of my gear to—not bad for a weekend’s worth of adventure.

The SW slope of Red Mtn.
The summit of Red Mtn.
Near the summit of Red Mtn looking NE.
The actual summit of Red Mtn splitting Mt Mc Gee and Mount Goddard in the background.
A look of the lower NE summit of Red Mtn with Goddard Canyon in the background.
Looking South from the summit of Red Mtn.
Looking towards Mt Mc Gee and Mount Goddard from atop of Red Mtn.
The red rocks of Red Mtn, the dark blue sky and white puffy clouds, enhanced by the use of a really good optical circular polarizer makes for some really stunning color contrast as this picture depicts.
Me atop of Red Mtn.
Looking SW off the summit of Red Mtn.
One last look at Red Mtn., as I start to make my way down the mountain.
A nice view of the Red Mtn Basin on my way back down the mountain staying close to the crest of the mountain.
Where the Hell for Sure trail descends down into Goddard Canyon to meet up with a trail that will take you down Goddard Canyon or up towards Martha Lake.
Descending Red Mtn towards Hell for Sure Pass.
Looking down on Hell for Sure Pass.
The sun starts to cast a shadow on the terrain as I descend down Hell for Sure Pass around 5pm.
Hell for Sure Lake
Hell for Sure Lake
Coming down Hell for Sure Pass.
Hell for Sure Lake
Hell for Sure Lake
Hell for Sure Lake
Looking across Hell for Sure Lake with Hell for Sure Pass in the background.
A glacier erratically place rock perched precariously atop of another one near Horseshoe Lake with Mount Hutton in the background. If I had one more day to explore this area, that Mountain would be on my list as well as Devils Punchbowl.
A glacier erratically place rock perched precariously atop of another one near Horseshoe Lake. Notice the clouds to the east. No worries for me, but some other Hikers that may be up her over the next 3-4 days may need to consider the impacts of the weather which is changing.
Horseshoe Lake
Horseshoe Lake
My colors take a dump as the sun begins to get too low in the sky. My hard work and discipline have paid off and I've captured some nice pictures by putting off other needs like food and rest.
The little pond just to the west of Hell for Sure Lake.
Fleming Lake on my way down the mountain.
Fleming Lake on my way down the mountain.
Where I need to go.
In about 3 hrs I'll be crossing that mountain pass in the center of the picture.
One of 4 15 minute breaks that I took from Hell for Sure Lake to Courtright Reservoir.
In about 3 hrs I'll be crossing that mountain pass in the center of the picture.
One perched stack of rocks remains, the other has tumbled down.
One perched stack of rocks remains, the other has tumbled down.
Where the Blackcap Trail crosses Post Coral Creek and meets up with the Hell for Sure Trail.
Wildflowers are all up and down the Blackcap Trail between Post Coral Creek and the Maxon Trailhead out of Courtright Reservoir.
Wildflowers are all up and down the Blackcap Trail between Post Coral Creek and the Maxon Trailhead out of Courtright Reservoir.
Wildflowers are all up and down the Blackcap Trail between Post Coral Creek and the Maxon Trailhead out of Courtright Reservoir.
Some trees have been removed from the Blackcap Trail near the Dusy Ershim Trail.
Some trees have been removed from the Blackcap Trail near the Dusy Ershim Trail.
Some trees have been removed from the Blackcap Trail near the Dusy Ershim Trail.
I guess these are used to keep your feet from getting wet when the Maxon Meadow is really damp.
I guess these are used to keep your feet from getting wet when the Maxon Meadow is really damp.
Where the Blackcap Trail breaks off the Dusy Ershim Trail and heads for Long Meadow.
Some fisherman fish Courtright Reservoir from near the dam.

HIKENHI

Hell for Sure Lake II, July 2012