Gravel Lake - Ridge Lake, Kendall Katwalk

After reading a promising trip report for Kendall Katwalk from a few days ago I took the PCT beginning at 9:45. The lot had about 25 cars, which is not too bad for a Saturday morning. The trail was in fine shape and the first creek crossing about 2 miles out was quite a bit easier than it had been a few weeks ago when I went to Red Mountain.

The second crossing, which had been reported as a little dicey in early July was also uneventful. Along the way, I played cat-and-mouse with a group of four climbers who were carrying ropes, axes, and crampons, suggesting a destination more challenging than I was intending. As described by others, there are a couple of steep, but short snow crossings in the area below Kendall Peak but well-cut tracks made it easy going. As always, the view from the Katwalk were spectacular. The Katwalk is thoroughly exposed and thus snow-free.

A few hundred yards past the Katwalk the snowfields begin in earnest. Several tracks showed the way, although I was glad to get a directional tip from the climbers who were enjoying a lunch break. Although diminutive, Ridge Lake was quite pretty as turquoise hues emerged from the area that was beginning to thaw. The snowbank on the north side of Ridge lake is steep and the crossing was a little dubious without better gear than I was using. Nonetheless, I wanted to get a view of Alaska Lake, which was visible almost 1,000 feet below, from just past the snowfield. Although the trail was clear of snow ahead, it was time to turn around as I was 7.3 miles away from the trailhead. I arrived dead tired a a little before 5 PM.