Day 4

Sofia Wrote: 

Descending into valley. Baby trees on decomposing trunks. Made it through forest to swamp easily (used our previously taken photos for reference). Hugged the swamp and had some willow crossing to deal with. Up the valley to the first of two beautiful lakes. Breakfast— rice cereal with fresh huckleberries. Past Amisk Lake and over the pass— one of the most beautiful views of my life. Bright blue lake, glaciers on the surrounding mountains and waterfalls roaring in the distance. Over the pass— rocky moonland and small blue lake. Brand new mountain views— glaciated mountains in the distance and colorful carved mountains with snow banks surrounding us. Down the next valley and up a steep false pass— then over the real pass. One lone boulder sitting on the pass— spotted from a distance before and after. Views of even more stunning mountains. Rolling ones— Loch Ness/ sleeping dragon or serpent. Easy open rolling hills as we hugged the sleeping dragon. Wildflowers in purple, violet, purple-pink, pink, red, yellow, white, (yarrow and trufula trees). Descended into another set of woods and the slog to the lakes was brutal. Ended up at a patchy site for camping and ate dinner on a tiny inlet(?) next to the water- a patch of dry amongst the marsh. Ate some wild boar— bleh.

I believe that the "willows" that Sofia refers to were rhododendron--the ones hard to get through without getting tripped up.  We packed up before breakfast and hiked for awhile before breakfast.  We came to the swamp we were told others had gone left swearing through it and advised a better route might be to attempt around to the right.  At first it was easy going, high and dry. Yes, this was most certainly the better way--but then as we neared the end and veered left toward the creek, we became surrounded by giant rhodedendrin and deep swampy holes, We cursed--too! We made it to Herrick pass before 5pm and camped shortly thereafter.