We didn't go to the lake, instead, continued along Copper Glance Creek to climb West Craggy and Big Craggy on Sunday.
There is a pond near the fork: lake or the creek (to the Craggies). This pond doesn't look appetizing. Most bugs here. Slightly less bugs lower or higher. There were even bugs at the summits, but not bad.
The trail itself is not very steep. It's in good condition (apart from occasional "detours" around fallen logs). Once past the pond, no trail to be found.
For the climb itself on Sunday 7/24. We went up West Craggy first, then traversed the ridge (staying mostly on the ridge proper, or to its west or south side), then up to Big Craggy. From there, we came down the scree slope. Overall, no snow to be worried about. A little bit of snow on the way up to West. The steepest section is climbing up to the ridge on the way to West Craggy. We only found one cairn at the turn to Big Craggy. Otherwise, pick your own track.
Flowers were good, but could be better, mostly yellow (arnika) and white (yarrow, velarian). I can see aster coming, fireweed is at least 2 weeks away. On the lower trail, many magenta colored paintbrush, sedum, saw a few mallow and collomia.
Mosquitoes from the trailhead all the way to the summit. Where the pond is, is the worst. I ate inside my tent!
This is the 2nd creek crossing:
This is the mosquito pond
The mine:
Flowers at and above the meadowy slope:
The 2 ponds on the way to West Craggy:
My climbing partner at the top of West Craggy. As you can see, once you are on the ridge, it's an easy walk. But going up to the ridge is STEEP.
From West to Big Craggy
Coming down from Big Craggy is loose scree, steep, but not dangerously steep.
Route
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