Marble Mountain Wilderness DAY 2

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Cliff-Lake -> Summit Lake

Sunny

Trip log:

  • 08:26am - Depart Cliff Lake
  • 09:24am - Summit Lake trail junction
  • 10:01am - Reached Summit Meadow Lake
  • 10:26am - Arrive at Summit Lake

We woke up early to watch the sunrise and had a warm breakfast. Then we took a walk along the bank of the lake and played in the unmelted snow from last winter. “Hey, is it really summer?”

From certain angle Cliff Lake didn’t appear as bleak as the previous evening, probably because of the glare of the morning sun.

When hearing the name “Summit Lake”, we automatically imagined a secluded alpine lake located on atop a lofty mountain. We were prepared for a vertical hike. However, the trail turned out to be short and mostly level.

Ok, so Summit Lake isn’t at the summit. But we still like it. When there is no wind, the lake perfectly reflects the surrounding rocky mountains.

Dark salamanders and small fish were playing hide-and-seek in the lake as blue and red dragonflies perching on the exuberant grass grown at the bank. Bluejays pop and chirp briskly in the pinery, while a naughty chipmunk was trying to steal dropping of our food and of course we didn’t allow it.

“Let’s call it a day and just chill out here!” Hiking is not always about how many miles accomplished or bucket lists checked off, sometimes slowing down the pace allows us to appreciate subtle, tiny details of the nature and be inspired by the beauty.

We were having a good time snacking, napping, reading books and strolling around the campsite by the lake. Panda even jumped into the lake and swam for a while. Later, other hikers also came to camp by the lake. We saluted one another and exchanged information.

While chatting with an energetic lady named Barb from the Bay Area who was probably 60 or 70 and doing a PCT section, she mentioned: “The world is big and wonderful. I’m trying my best to see as much as possible before I’m gone.” That’s exactly what we were thinking too!