Big Five / Little Five Lakes Loop

The uppermost lake of Big Five Lakes sitting in its beautiful granite bowl, at about 10225 feet.

On the Col

Big 5, Little 5 Lakes Loop and Sawtooth Pass, August 4th to 7th, 2000.

From the summit of the col I could see the upper four lakes of Big Five Lakes. The uppermost lake seemed shallow, barren, surrounded on two sides by steep cliffs of a bowl, and not a great candidate for camping. The second highest had a smattering of trees, and the far side looked like it may harbor a cozy site or two, but I was never to find out. The third highest was mostly hidden by hills and thick trees.

The large lake WL10,192 and the smaller lake WL10,260 of the Big Five Lakes, as seen from the col.

I thought the worst was over, but not so. It was a long way down to the upper Big Five Lakes, and the terrain was sandy and steep. It was no worse than other slopes I have been forced to navigate in my cross-country travels, but care had to be taken and routes had to be found to keep my feet on the safest way. More than a few times I found myself traversing to safer ground to avoid severely steep terrain. Scattered trees studded the slope, allowing safe havens to stop, rest and evaluate the terrain below me. Eventually I forced my way through the last bush and rocky drop-offs baring my way, and made it to the shore of lake WL10,214. At this point I decided I was tired and I wanted to find a camp.