Sunday August 2

Clouds on the way out

 Everyone up early this morning as we are heading out today.  Warm last night even up here at the col above Herd Lakes.  Lots of mosquitoes even in the tent and I think inside my sleeping bag.  We hiked down to Herd Lake and it was so calm and reflective of the the snow and rock that it didn't look like a lake.  Interesting walk along the gully feature to the base of the climb up to the col.  After stopping for lunch Mike and I stayed right and the others took to the snow on the left.  We all made it to the col but I was glad to say off the snow as the ground below was rock smoothed by a glacier.  We saw three slides including one which ran across the tracks of the other 3 of us.  As we hiked down to Gwillam Lakes Jason spotted us and we went to his campsite for beer!!   Jason was supposed to join us for the end to the trip but we were a day or two behind schedule.  He soloed the Gwillam area from Friday night.  It was 3+ hours to the parking lot!  I was surprised by the number of hikers going to the various campsite along the trail.  Even the drive to Vallican was long and rough.  I don't think you would see a mix like that in the Lower Mainland doing that drive and hike.  After getting everyone back to Ron's, Dennis and I went back to D and D's place.  We were going to go for dinner and pick up my car but instead went to Ron and Moniques' place for dinner.  Delicious chips, pizza, BBQ, wine, beer and pie.  Dennis and I then drove to my car arriving just after dark.  My plan was to drive home or at least part way but since it was dark I decided to sleep in the car and the Shannon Creek trail head.