We got on trail by 5:36 am with a post 6:00 sunrise. It was brisk but with windshirts and buffs we were able to hike as it warmed.
We started heading up. Hit a fast pace that slowed over the course of the day.
Our goal was 14 miles and a little higher elevation. We reached both goals. We stopped where we stopped because the next campsite was too high.
We passed two beautiful lakes. One we had to ford knee deep —but no flow. The other had a bridge.