July 23, 2011 Vidette Meadows to just under Forester Pass

Warren taking a snooze while I have lunch. Bear box located just up canyon from our Vidette Meadows camp. Looking back down towards Vidette from just below 11,000 feet or so. Close to same spot except looking up canyon. First nights camp spot next to Bubb's Creek. Way over 11,000 feet under Forester Pass. Looking back down towards Vidette. Warren just below Lake 12,400 with 3 guys coming off of Forester Pass. Forester Peak, right above Saturday's bivy spot at Lake 12,400 View of the pass from Lake 12,400 Nice cascade across from lunch stop. Saturday morning started out with a visit from the back country rangerette. When she pulled up my first thought was she was going to bust us for A)camping too close to the trail, and B) camping too close to the water. Lucky us, she never mentioned either one of those. She chatted for a while, asking if we had seen the "blonde" bear she had been hearing reports about. Told her that we had seen it the night before. After checking our permit, she was on her way and not long after, so were we. The trail wound its way up Bubbs Creek, heading for the junction with Center Basin. As we were hiking by, we kept an eye out for the supposed trail heading into it, but neither I nor Warren ever saw one. Looked like Center Basin would be a great place to go into, with some nice looking peaks for climbing. After the trail got into the upper reaches of the canyon which Forester Pass sits at the head of, it was harder to follow because of the snow. The hiking, while off trail, wasn't too bad. Not a consistent pace like on a trail, but easier than most cross country boulder hopping can be at times. Seeing how we were not positive of the exact location the trail should be taking, we guessed at times and more often than not, Warren would soon find a melted out section of it. After debating which lake we were looking at matched up with which lake on the map, we finally found the one at 12, 400 feet. Not that it was hard to judge, but the ones below it left us guessing. After scouting around, we ended up at two platforms next to the trail and the outlet of the lake. Seeing how we had gotten there with me as much of a whipped puppy as I could be, stopping for the evening was not much of a discussion. Warren had wanted to push over the pass, but I just didn't have it in me. After dinner we were treated to some whiskey, brandy, and one of the best nights for star gazing I have ever had the pleasure to witness. The Milky Way was fantastic. Almost seemed unreal it was so bright. Made going to sleep something I almost didn't want to do. Great day all around.