Big Five / Little Five Lakes Loop

The view up the canyon from my camp. Here to the right of Sawtooth Peak at the low point is where the trail switchbacks to.

Lost Canyon Camp

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

Somewhere out there was a fire. A big fire. I could smell it. Most of all, I could see thick haze up-canyon, and clouds of smoke higher above. It seemed to be coming from the west, but I was to never find out what the origin of the fire was. The next morning it would be gone, fortunate for the lung heaving work of the next day.

The sheer walls above my camp were a little intimidating. I prayed for no rockfalls.

The views became more open and impressive the further I went. Finally I could see the wide valley and the pass leading to Columbine Lake. Meadow carpeted the valley floor, and the stream zigzagged lazily back and forth in its deep groove where it harbored clear water and small fish. There were two groves of trees snuggled up to the south slopes across the stream, and one grove looked like it had a camp. I marched across the meadow and crossed the crystal water stream and entered the grove. There indeed I found a huge overworked packer camp with oversized fire pit and primitive furniture. Slightly up canyon a ways I found a level obvious tent spot well away from the established camp, and dropped my pack for the last time that day. With a nearby fallen log and other trees, I had all I needed for a good "no trace" campsite.