2015 Porkies backpacking adventure, part 2

Cabin to cabin hike day 3

In the morning, Arly made a log book entry to let folks
know we were here.

Arlyn thinks this is an old rail road coupler.
It is lying outside the cabin.  How could it get here?

Finally! We're going.

We stop for snacks at Shining Cloud Falls.

The big ol' hemlock makes a good pack rack.

Through the big hemlocks we hike.

I had to get a closer look at this big burl.

Here we veered north, towards the escarpment.

The bridge over the Big Carp was removed this past year.
What a super smart idea! See where hikers are attempting to build
a make shift crossing. So much safer!

The 2-leggeds found a ratty old tree upstream
to ford the river.

The Big Carp is no match for all paw drive.

Lunch stop! I had lame kibble.

Arly fired up the pop can stove again for hot cocoa.

Up we go.

Hunting was good on the escarpment.

Quite a grand stand of hemlock.

Here we catch our first glimpse of Lake of the Clouds
(aka Carp Lake)

Getting closer.

We finally see the visitor center stairs when climbing up the last saddle.

We had the views to ourselves. I wish there were some kids here.

After hiking down the hill, we finally make it to the cabin.

Hunting was excellent here at Lake of the Clouds cabin!

Ya Arly, now I can hunt unencumbered.

First though, I took a cooling dip.

No colors but a beautiful evening regardless.

10+ miles and lots of vermin hunting take their toll.

In the morning, we packed up to head to Mirror Lake.