High Divide, Deer Lake, Seven Lakes Basin

As beautiful as ever. We did a one night hike. Hiked to Lunch Lake via Deer Lake first day. Deer Lake always has horse flies the size of small birds. Lunch Lake had tons of mosquitos. Snow started about 1-2 miles past Deer Lake- slow but passable but cleared up not long after. Entry to 7 Lakes was sketchy. Saw a bear in the valley to the west before entering 7 lakes. Encountered 5 goats on trail and was soft charged by one of them, twice. We gave plenty of space but ended up having to use sticks, rocks, yelling, whistle, etc. to get them to let us pass on the trail. The one goat was pretty nasty and harassed other hikers but did not charge. I have been around mountain goats plenty of times, and very close, and never been spooked like this.

On 2 day two we took the recommended short cut through the basin to the high divide trail. Most of it was fine except one part where you hike on an ice slope that was right above a lake. SCARY. The trail disappeared for awhile right before you hit the high divide trail. From the there to Heart Lake was mostly clear except leading into Heart Lake, which was very soft and easy to get through.

Fantastic hike with plenty of people making it through the snow, seemingly without issues. This is my 7th time doing this hike, and I have never seen snow like this!