Isolation Peak, Fleur de Lis, Mount Craig,and Ten Lake Park from Wild Basin.

After a several year hiatus from Wild Basin, this year has marked a return to the place where it all started.  Earlier in the year, I decided to "run" Isolation Peak in preparation for the race.  While I say run, it was really more of a fast hike, particularly with the off trail time after Bluebird Lake.

It was a rather pleasant and peaceful day, and it was awesome to revisit the area that captured my imagination years ago.  A return to the memory of some big and fun days.

It was several years later on a pretty big day with Dan that I finally got to see the west side of Isolation Peak.  Like many others, it was interesting to get a different perspective on the mountains I was so familiar with from the east.  And that west ridge looked extremely fun!  

With other goals and wants, a return has taken a few years, but another friend proposed a long and adventurous route to visit Fleur de Lis and Mount Craig.  We'd start and end at the Wild Basin trail head, going up and over Isolation, taking the west ridge out and back, with a brief drop down into Ten Lake Park.  My kind of day, it took zero arm twisting to get out for these repeats!

We met and started just as the sun was rising, headlamps not needed, but brought along just in case.  Dave beat me to the trail head by a few minutes, and said one person had started before us, though we never did see them.  In fact, the only people we saw the whole day (besides each other), was a couple near Bluebird Lake who had camped at the site close to there.

Bluebird Lake, Ouzel Peak.
With my visit earlier in the year, it was pretty easy to follow the cairned social trail around Bluebird Lake and to the bench above Lark Pond and Pipit Lake.  There's some bushy stuff in this area, but it's generally easy to avoid.
We stopped at the beautiful and isolated Isolation Lake for a snack and water.  While there were possibilities on the other side, this was the last definite water we'd come across for a long time-possibly until we made the return trip and went by this lake again.
We started up the scree slope towards Isolation.

Somewhere up there, Mahana Peak and Copeland Mountain behind.
We made it to the summit of Isolation relatively easily.  There aren't any technical difficulties along the way, it's just the gain to get there.

Dave on the summit.
He'd copied and brought the route description from Lisa Fosters book along.  This suggested staying on the ridge direct as fourth class at the easiest, with multiple towers to go around.  With this in mind, we decided to drop down a little and contour around, staying at around 12700 feet.  The terrain was pretty manageable, with just a touch of loose stuff here and there. 

Looking back towards Isolation and those deep blue skies that only seem to happen in September.

Copeland Mountain.
We reached a flatter section and headed north to meet the ridge, which was outstandingly fun third class.

Dave descending the ridge.
This ridge was pretty awesome, with fun and engaging route finding.  As we kept remarking, we'd yet to hit any real difficulties, and the day was going swimmingly.
On the way out, we bypassed the small lump west of the ridge at around 12200 feet on the south side.  On the way back we stayed up higher on it and it was fine either way.
We crossed a small social trail at the saddle between Isolation and Fleur de Lis, then started up.  Though this peak is second class, the easiest approach is from the west side, and we found a little bit of scrambling to get to the top.

Looking back at Isolation.
We continued on to Mount Craig.  From previous experience, I knew we should stay to the south of point 11902, as it's scrambly and difficult to go over.  On the other side, we took what was probably not the best route up.  This was probably the hardest few moves of scrambling of the day, or so I felt.  But it was short, and we were soon back on tundra.

Looking back from near Mount Craig. 

Right near the summit.
Well, it's probably easier to get Fleur de Lis and Mount Craig from the west, but I wouldn't say that day is "easy".  I do vividly remember my previous visit, with friend and oft hiking/running partner Dan.  Near the end of the day, he told me (I *think* in jest) that if we'd done the loop we did in reverse, he would've never spoken to me again.  At the very least, that would've made for an awkward ride home.
But here Dave and I were at our furthest point out.  Now all we had to do was turn around.  And go all the way back.  We decided to drop down into Ten Lake Park and take a promising looking gully up, and skirt around Isolation.  (Now that I'm writing this a few weeks later, I think that was the intention here.)

Beauty.  Of course, just as we were wondering aloud how long it had been since someone had been there, I found a German made Swiss Army style knife on the ground.  It had been out for awhile, but at least we can say people sometimes come here.  And I again learned the hard lesson that when water is getting lowish and the next definite source is a good bit away, you should fill up.  Figured I'd know that now, and I never seem to do it.  Ah well, not having water for an hour didn't kill me!

Now looking back on Mount Craig.  What an awesome day!
We were both getting tired, and as we got back towards the west ridge of Isolation, made the choice to just go back the way we'd come, but to possibly stay on the ridge the entire way.  Fosters book calls this fourth class and talks about bypassing towers to stay direct on the ridge.
I felt and we talked after that we both felt this ridge was no more than third class, and we didn't find any towers to bypass.  So I'm not sure where her description came from.  Sure, there's some route finding, but it's pretty easy to stay right on top.  "Easy".
We made it back to Isolation, and ended up meeting the south ridge maybe forty vertical feet below the summit.  Since I have a sick desire to visit isolated peaks multiple times in the same day from different trailheads/directions/whatever, I climbed back to the top while Dave descended and waited for me. 

The same view as earlier, hours later.  Different and just as spectacular.

The south ridge in the afternoon.
We descended back to Isolation Lake, where we were both happy to filter and drink some water and eat some food.  Though we were still a good distance from the trailhead, there was finally some sense of being almost done, at least for me.  There were no more major elevation gains, and while there was still some off trail time, we were past the hardest and talusyest terrain.  Soon we'd have a trail, and from there we could just motor on down.
We wanted to see how far we could make it without headlamps, but it wasn't much beyond Bluebird Lake.  Ah well!
Now with food and water in us, we enjoyed some conversation on the way back.  I think we were both suffering a bit for various reasons going back up over Isolation.  But we identified the problems, corrected them, and got over it.
I generally like my work schedule and love my job, but after days like this I wish I had more weekend time available.  This was my second time hiking with Dave this year, and what awesome days they've been with a more experienced partner.  It's been particularly nice to hike or run with some new people this year, and to find some other kindred spirits out there.
We got back to the trailhead and got situated before saying our farewells.  At least this time it was me who had the shorter drive home, I was definitely tired!
While this day was all repeats for me, I certainly had an awesome time going along.  I'm sure not many people will venture in far enough to do the west ridge of Isolation Peak, but if you are looking for a fun scramble, it's pretty great.  Though not on the map, there is a pretty good social trail all the way up to Fifth Lake, and it would be pretty reasonable to do from there.
Link to hike map/GPX on Caltopo (like last time, there might be some bonus miles here).
Isolation Peak, Fleur de Lis, Mount Craig, and Ten Lake Park from Wild Basin:
Bluebird Lake, 10990 feet: 7.4 miles, 2490 foot gain.  Second class.  Moderate+.
Isolation Lake, 12000 feet: 9.5 miles, 3500 foot gain.  Second class.  Strenuous-.
Isolation Peak,13118 feet: 10.25 miles, 4618 foot gain.  Second class.  Strenuous.
Fleur de Lis, 12250 feet: 12.3 miles, 3750 foot gain.  Third class.  Strenuous.
Mount Craig, 12007 feet: 14.4 miles, 3507 foot gain.  Third class.  Strenuous.
Ten Lake Park, 11228 feet*: 15.5 miles, 2728 foot gain.  Second class.  Strenuous.
Isolation Peak, 13118 feet: 18.7 miles, 4618 foot gain.  Third class (from the west).  Strenuous.
Isolation Lake, 12000 feet: 19.6 miles, 3500 foot gain.  Second class.  Strenuous.
Bluebird Lake, 10990 feet: 21 miles, 2490 foot gain.  Second class.  Moderate+.
As a whole, this day covered 29.15 miles (maybe a little less, again got some GPS interference) with 8794 feet of elevation gain in up to third class terrain.  One of the big difficulties you'll face is the time above treeline, which is from around mile seven to mile 21.  Water is scarce, make sure you take advantage of what you find when you find it.  Strenuous+.
*This is the approximate elevation of the lake we were at. 

Isolation Peak, Ouzel Peak, Cony Pass, Junco Lake.

Ouzel Falls.
As you can probably guess from the title of this post, this week brought me an exceptionally long and arduous hike, with over half of the day spent above 12000 feet in elevation.
I set out on June 29, 2012 at 603 am from the Wild Basin trail head.  I would head to Bluebird Lake(read more here), then Isolation Lake, ending up at Isolation Peak.

A yellow bellied Marmot along the way...

Small run off fall near Bluebird Lake.

Nearing Bluebird Lake, some snow still over Ouzel Creek. 

Bluebird Lake.  I was to it and around in about two hours and forty five minutes.

A great view of Ouzel Peak from the outlet of Bluebird Lake.

To avoid all of the bushwhacking when heading up to Lark Pond, Pipit Lake, or Isolation Lake turn uphill or north just past the largest boulder pictured on the right.  There is some loose stuff here, but nothing too bad, and certainly easier to navigate than those trees (as I can attest!).  Cut left or west when you are about even in elevation with the granite benches pictured above the trees.  Farther on, I stayed uphill of all the snow to avoid it as well.

Bluebird from above, Copeland in the background.  I was beginning to notice the smoke from all the forest fires.  Everything looked a little hazy, but I think that has given some of these photos an interesting look.

The first sight of part of Isolation.  Since that was my goal I stayed north of Lark Pond and Pipit Lake and enjoyed a relatively flat and easy hike over tundra.

 

Going that way will give you a short but steep talus hill to climb right before you get to Isolation Lake.  I stopped here and had some food and pumped some water before continuing on.

Ouzel Peak as seen from Isolation Lake.  From the front it looks alot different- like it is one point.  In reality it is a stretched out spine with a high point.

Looking up the steep talus and scree hill to Isolation Peak.  It is hard to tell from this perspective, but what looks like the high point is not.  The true peak is the first soft looking point of prominence in from the left.  You can head directly up this slope, but be careful, some of the rock is a little loose. 

Looking back down on Isolation Lake, Mahana Peak, Pipit Lake, Copeland, Ouzel.  To make the ascent easier I stayed in the band of green most of the way up.  I figured if there were plants growing there must be enough stable soil there that I wouldn't slide with every step.  The plan worked well, though I did end up having to traverse south along the ridge at the top to the true high point of this peak.

False summit just north of the true summit.  A very steep cliff face to the north drops down a couple of hundred feet.

The rounded hump of Mahana Peak to the east.

Isolation Lake from Isolation Peak.  Looks tiny.

The true high point- 13118 feet.  This is my first 13er this year, and though I have done this peak before, no less rewarding!

Looking beautiful at 13118 feet.

I could see these clouds to the west but had a hard time seeing if they might be bringing rain along.  The smoke made the horizon impossible to see at all.

It was pretty windy so I didn't stay long, but started to descend almost 1000 feet south along the continental divide. 

I was able to get cell reception up here and called Katie for a detailed weather report.  This was my bailout plan- descent back to Pipit Lake.  But she told me the radar was picking up nothing, so I kept on.

This is the next major obstacle.  After you reach a low point on the ridge, you will have to slowly gain back around 500 feet to get to Ouzel Peak.  This looked scary, though the book said second class only.  And it was.  Just stay west of the ridge and pick your way- should be easy.

Tundra. 

Looking back up the talus slope to Isolation.

This photo didn't really capture the magnificence of the view and the steepness of the snow looking down. 

Looking west into the park.

The tundra amazes me.  All these steep rocky cliffs to get up there, and then when you do it is flat grass all around.

Looking along to Ouzel Peak.

Isolation Lake as seen from near Ouzel Peak.

Grass as far as the eye can see, plus the fat hump of and spiny ridges west of Copeland.

Looking south to Cony Pass and Ogalalla Peak.

Junco Lake as seen from Ouzel Peak.

The summit cairn of Ouzel Peak, 12716 feet.

Looking east along the drainage back to Bluebird Lake and beyond.

A better self shot.

This little guy must've smelled my Clif Bar or something.  He popped his head out and was standing about four feet away from me while I snacked on the summit of Ouzel Peak.

It was kind of funny how he kept me company for a few minutes, almost posing for the camera.  Eventually I got up to continue on and he went back to his hiding place.

The summit of Ouzel Peak from the south.

Looking south to Cony Pass.  Elk Tooth and Ogalalla Peak visible.

A very different perspective of Copeland.

More flat tundra- very pleasant hiking. 

In panorama.  You'll loose about 200 feet in elevation and have to gain back most of it to get to the top of Cony Pass.

Looking down to Junco Lake from Cony Pass.  I have to say this descent was scary.  Take your time and find you way.  A fall up here would mean certain injury or death, and you are very far away from any help.
The way to go is on the south of the pass.  There are several narrow 'switchback' ledges up a cliff face before encountering some very exposed class 4 moves to the top.  And I will say it again- be careful, as a fall will result in serious injury or worse.  It might be wise to wear a helmet when descending or ascending as well.  I saw a good sized piece of rock tumble down the cliff face, and though it was 30 feet away or more, it was definitely big enough to do some serious damage.

After the rather unfun descent of Cony Pass, I now had a third class descent of this scree slope down to Junco Lake.  This was not much fun either, and again I had to take my time and pick my way carefully.  Again it might be wise to wear a helmet in this area to protect against falling rock, particularly if you will be here with others.

Back up from near the lake.

At 11620 feet, Junco Lake is a pretty and barren high altitude body of water.  Good views of Copeland and Ouzel Peak await you.

The drainage is pretty interesting- rather flat and wide. 

Looking back up from a fun glissade down the snow.

I stopped at this small reflecting pool and reflected.  This was a very difficult hike.  You can see part of the drainage here, which is so shallow I was able to walk in it without getting my feet wet.  I pumped some water and moved on out.

A different perspective of Bluebird Lake. 

Getting back to the trail- hard to believe I was up there only a few hours before.

Tired me with a few hours of hiking left to go.

The waterfall exit of Junco Lake drainage.  It joins Ouzel Creek.
I was feeling really tired and beat up on my way back and seriously dragging.  Then, while on the Bluebird Lake trail above Ouzel Lake, I heard something move in the grass above the trail.  I looked up and my heart stopped.  Not more than twenty feet away from me were standing two bull moose.  Holy sh!t.  They were both looking at me.  Though I know what to do in case of a bear or mountain lion encounter, I had no idea what to do in this situation.  I thought I remembered reading that you should get something like a tree or boulder between you and them but I was in the forest fire burn area- not many trees.  One of them sort of grunted or snorted.  I took this to mean, "Nothing to see here, now move along."
I kept along the trail keeping an eye on them.  Fortunately they seemed more interested in their food than me and when they put their heads back down to keep eating, I found energy I didn't know I had and ran away!  That was scary.
The day was getting on and I was hungry and tired and feeling a little emotionally exhausted as well.  I sat down near Ouzel Falls and ate some more food and gave myself a pep talk.  I have found that as these long hiking days go on, I tend to have more abstract thoughts and talk to myself more.  I guess I am the only one around to hear it so it's ok.

I have taken a picture from this exact place on the Thunder Lake trail many of the times I have hiked on it.
I finally made it back to the car at 715, giving me a 13+ hour long day.  The short of it is that while none of these destinations in their own right would be a super difficult hike, stringing them all together gave me an extremely difficult day.  I am estimating this at 17.5 miles with a net gain of 5300+ feet.  Throw in some spicy 4th class x climbing and there you go.  This is one for which you have to be not just physically but mentally fit as well.
To string these destinations together as I did would give you a strenuous plus hike, I told Katie I thought this was the hardest hike I have ever done.  As separate destinations....
Isolation Peak from Isolation Lake: 8.3 miles one way, 4618 foot gain.  Strenuous.
Ouzel Peak north slope from Pipit Lake: 7.9 miles one way, 4216 foot gain.  Strenuous.
Cony Pass from Junco Lake: 7.9 miles one way, 3920 foot gain.  3rd and 4th class X.  Helmet recommended.  Strenuous.
Junco Lake: 7.2 miles one way, 3120 foot gain.  Strenuous.