Hiked up Sunday from East Fork Foss trailhead to Emerald Lake and set camp on a rocky point above the water. Destination this time was Tank Lakes, and I thought I might do it all in one go, but my legs and spirits disagreed. I always find it more relaxing to set up camp with a couple hours of daylight left, especially when hiking solo, so it was an easy decision to make an early camp, let my legs rest, and wander a little.
Jade, Emerald, and Opal lakes were beautiful, as expected. I'd only previously seen them during a winter overnight a few years ago. One couple who left the trailhead around the same time as me later passed by my early camp on their way up to Tank Lakes that evening. About half a dozen trail runners came down not long before sunset, the last of the bunch confirming they'd come from Tank Lakes, after ascending via the West Fork Foss trail. What a run for a single day!
Broke camp the next morning, tent wet with heavy dew, and headed up to Tank Lakes. I ascended the moraine right after skirting around the last forested patch, opting to climb higher sooner rather than stay low and wait.
Tank Lakes and the general table land are a fabulous alpine environment. Lots of places to wander and explore and just take in the sights. Plentiful delicious huckleberries. Only a few other people up there on Monday.
After a few hours of wandering and lunch on the "sandy" shores of one of the lakes, I hike down and out. Just like my last time up there, the worst part was the descent from Jade to the East Foss, which killed my knees. Second worst part was the interminable 5 mile slog along the river back to the car with aching knees.
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