Climbing Mt. Thorp - July 2000

Forrest and Tamara, Eric and Kathy, and I do the Little Joe Creek/Thorp Lake loop trail.
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     The Hike

 

The Hike

We decided to try the Little Joe Creek/Thorp Lake trail, as mentioned in the Mountaineers' book "100 Hikes in the Alpine Lakes." It's a 10 mile loop trail (12 miles counting the detour to Thorp Mountain Lookout), with a 2700 foot elevation gain (with a lot of ups + downs as well), reaching a maximum elevation of 5850 feet at the lookout.

Although it was raining in Seattle when we left, it ended up being a perfect day: cool and clear.

Just above Little Joe Lake, the trail went under water. Just above Little Joe Lake, the trail went under water.

Forrest, Tamara, Kathy, and Eric after the 5000 foot saddle. Forrest, Tamara, Kathy, and Eric after the 5000 foot saddle.

Tamara, Kathy, Eric and myself at the same point. Tamara, Kathy, Eric and myself at the same point.

Hiking is not for the faint of heart: a large skeleton just off the trail. Hiking is not for the faint of heart: a large skeleton just off the trail.

Lunch. Lunch.

An old tree, felled even though it had a solid grip on the rock. An old tree, felled even though it had a solid grip on the rock.

Standing proud just before reaching the No Name Ridge. Standing proud just before reaching the No Name Ridge.

Hitting snow on the ridgeline. Hitting snow on the ridgeline.

Posing just below the Thorp Mountain lookout. Posing just below the Thorp Mountain lookout.

Looking down at Thorp Lake from just below the lookout. Looking down at Thorp Lake from just below the lookout.

Artistic integrity forces me to admit that this next shot was actually Kathy's idea.

Wildflowers at the top of Thorp Mountain, with another lake behind. Wildflowers at the top of Thorp Mountain, with another lake behind.

But this next one is all me.

Myself at the top. Myself at the top.

Eric at the shores of Thorp Lake. Eric at the shores of Thorp Lake.