Page 3
Day 3
After a very warm night it was not so tough to get up. I was out of bed by 7:30 with plenty of time to break camp and cross the pass before possible afternoon thundershowers. The overcast was still complete as I packed up and broke camp. It was again 8:25 when I headed off. I had seen someone fishing at Edna the night before far across the lake but I did not find their camp. It's about 800' of gain to Toxaway Divide and then another 150' to the high 9400' pass before dropping down to Edith Lake.
As everywhere else on my route the trail is gently graded for horses making long switchbacks. Forest gave way to open meadows. I briefly considered a side trip to a lake not far from the trail but decided I had 12 miles to hike this day and unpredictable thunder and lightening. It would be best to just get over the passes. It only took me a little over an hour to reach Toxaway Divide. From the pass you can see just a small part of Toxaway Lake. Clearly visible is Snowyside Peak. True to its name the side still has some snow hanging on in mid September. I had considered a longer loop out via Toxaway, Snowyside Pass, and Alice Lake but now just retracing my steps sounded fine.
I crossed the passes and started the long switchbacks to the tarn and junction in the basin below. On the way I met a nice couple from Helena who were enjoying backpacking several areas of Idaho. The talus fields were even busier this day as I saw and heard many pikas. They would sit and "eek" until my camera was out then disappear in a flash. Edith was much different. Instead of bright sunshine blowing out the granite the lighting was much better.
In no time I cruised down to the junction with the Yellow Belly trail. Just 6 2/3 miles to go. I made good time the rest of the way back. Two breaks, one in the talus field above a big meadow and another after the creek crossing. On the last uphill section back to Pettit Lake I met a group of two adults and 8 or 9 pre teens. Nice to see young folks out in the backcountry. I stopped to pass on a little info. I hope they enjoyed their trip as it did rain all the next day.
By 2:30 I was back at the trailhead. I had no rain or lightening on my trip out. This was a really great trip. Good weather, the usual small crowds just post Labor Day, and some stunning scenery. I wouldn't mind another visit to Ten Lakes Basin. There was a little repeating and several long sections of new trail too. All in all, it's well worth the long drive from Seattle. For day three I hiked 12 miles with 1600' of gain. For the three days I hiked 34 miles with 7600' of gain. The memories will last a lifetime.
After a very warm night it was not so tough to get up. I was out of bed by 7:30 with plenty of time to break camp and cross the pass before possible afternoon thundershowers. The overcast was still complete as I packed up and broke camp. It was again 8:25 when I headed off. I had seen someone fishing at Edna the night before far across the lake but I did not find their camp. It's about 800' of gain to Toxaway Divide and then another 150' to the high 9400' pass before dropping down to Edith Lake.
As everywhere else on my route the trail is gently graded for horses making long switchbacks. Forest gave way to open meadows. I briefly considered a side trip to a lake not far from the trail but decided I had 12 miles to hike this day and unpredictable thunder and lightening. It would be best to just get over the passes. It only took me a little over an hour to reach Toxaway Divide. From the pass you can see just a small part of Toxaway Lake. Clearly visible is Snowyside Peak. True to its name the side still has some snow hanging on in mid September. I had considered a longer loop out via Toxaway, Snowyside Pass, and Alice Lake but now just retracing my steps sounded fine.
I crossed the passes and started the long switchbacks to the tarn and junction in the basin below. On the way I met a nice couple from Helena who were enjoying backpacking several areas of Idaho. The talus fields were even busier this day as I saw and heard many pikas. They would sit and "eek" until my camera was out then disappear in a flash. Edith was much different. Instead of bright sunshine blowing out the granite the lighting was much better.
In no time I cruised down to the junction with the Yellow Belly trail. Just 6 2/3 miles to go. I made good time the rest of the way back. Two breaks, one in the talus field above a big meadow and another after the creek crossing. On the last uphill section back to Pettit Lake I met a group of two adults and 8 or 9 pre teens. Nice to see young folks out in the backcountry. I stopped to pass on a little info. I hope they enjoyed their trip as it did rain all the next day.
By 2:30 I was back at the trailhead. I had no rain or lightening on my trip out. This was a really great trip. Good weather, the usual small crowds just post Labor Day, and some stunning scenery. I wouldn't mind another visit to Ten Lakes Basin. There was a little repeating and several long sections of new trail too. All in all, it's well worth the long drive from Seattle. For day three I hiked 12 miles with 1600' of gain. For the three days I hiked 34 miles with 7600' of gain. The memories will last a lifetime.
 Morning At Edna Lake |
 A Little Fall Color |
 Muted Color |
 Peaks Peeking Out |
 Down Towards Edna |
 Sand Mountain |
 Nearing The Divide |
 Toxaway Divide |
 Sand Mt. Ridge |
 Reflection In Lake |
 Descending Switchbacks |
 Colorful Grass |
 Tarn At Junction |
 Flowers Along Creek |
 More Flowers |
 Edith Lake Overlook |
 Granite & Lake |
 Small Falls |
 Lunch View |
 Nice Contrast |
 A Little Red |
 Another Squirrel |
 Farley Lake |
 Meadow Along Creek |
 Still Awful Narrow |
 Easy Trail |
 Wilderness Boundary |
 Leaving Wilderness |
 Pettit Lake |
 Map Of Trip |
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Sawtooth Mountains Report
Trips - 2010
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