Esmeralda Basin (Esmerelda), Lake Ann — Tuesday, Jul. 20, 2021

Lake Ann was spectacular as always. I started out about 8am and there was plenty of room in the parking lot on a Tuesday morning. When I left around 1pm there was still room. I only saw a handful of people all day. Most people go to Lake Ingalls. 

Wildflowers are a bit sparce for the Esmeralda Basin, so perhaps I am a bit early. There are plenty, don't get me wrong, but definitely not the awe inspiring peak I have seen in past years. Lots of paintbrush though, and those are my favorite. 

Bugs were not an issue at all except around the lake, where some kind of giant fly was driving my dog insane. She had several bugs on her at one point actually, but it was that damn fly, or whatever it was, that was obnoxious and relentless. It only bothered me a little. I swear when we left the lake it followed Daisy all the way up the ridge and harassed her up there too. Lol. No mosquitoes that I noticed.

I only heard one marmot, which was highly disappointing as they are usually sending each other tons of messages when I am up there. I actually saw this little guy run across some snow as I was climbing the ridge from the lake. I heard and saw quite a large rock fall up above the lake that must have lasted 30 seconds or so and made tons of dust. 

Road in is a piece of crap but you can make it in any vehicle. I've seen it worse and I have seen it better, so meh. It is what it is. I am hoping my truck starts tomorrow. It was not happy.

My dog, Daisy, I adopted one week ago today. I was fostering her but she is a keeper. She was badly abused and has PTSD and is doing so much better already. We get each other. She has a long way to go but I am so thankful to have her and to help her finally live her best life. She's such a sweetheart. Maybe my Piper and Marlee sent her to me, I don't know. 

I anyone knows an easy way to make my photos smaller so I can share them here, I would love to know. Not sure if just cropping will work? 

Be safe and have fun out there!