Five of us headed east for our traditional "First Day" hike. It was about 20 degrees but comfortable in the sun. The water falls that would have been pouring over the cliffs in the spring were now frozen and we could hear ice falls as the day warmed. Stayed to the left branch of the trail and circled the coulee until we came to the lake. We scrambled the rocks to the falls at the head of the lake. It was beautiful with ice covered rocks. We backtracked and continued to circle between the 3 main lakes. Set up the Jetboil to make cocoa with little addition of "Fireball" to toast the New Year. Made it back to the car just as the shadows filled the canyon. Good day to be out.
