Day 7 Around Squaw Lake to the Somewhere around Lake Edison Jct. Notice how locations become less defined. 9 miles approx.
This morning I forced myself to eat cream of wheat. i think it helped with my energy level. Less than a mile into the morning I arrived at Squaw Lake. It was stunning. I had to stop and take it all in. After looking around I also wasn’t sure where to go. I had walked closer to the lake and lost sight of the trail. I sat on a rock looking around. A few minutes later a couple arrived at the lake and we started talking. Come to find out she was from Mclean, Virginia and knew the daughter of someone I grew up with. Together we located the trail. I took off and began the climb up Silver Pass.
Squaw Lake
Here are a few pictures of the climb out of the basin.
As I continued climbing to the top of Silver Pass I could hear someone hiking up behind me. I stopped to let him pass but he stopped and wanted to talk. We continued hiking together only to find out he is from Toolee, Ut where my sister used to live. Finding people on the trail to talk with is always the best. Chatting with this guy made the climb so much easier.
The hike down was tough. I have some descent pictures but only the beginning of the sketchy parts.
This descent reminded me of Clouds rest, lot of steps. My legs are not that long and on some of the step downs with the weight of my pack I was afraid I might fall. Thank heavens for my poles. As I was going down this part I could hear Katie O’Connors voice in my head, “Mrs. Hosking be careful!”. So funny. As I was near the end of the decent I found a rock I could rest on by the river. It was a perfect rock, the kind you can rest the weight of your pack on and not take it off. While I was resting I ran into my friend Donna again.
It was a long day but I got to the bottom.
Day 8 Somewhere around Lake Edison Jct. to Bear Creek near Bear Lakes Basin Approx. 9 miles
Looking at the map I knew this morning was going to be a climb. I was anxious about it. I was going to have to climb 2000 ft in about 4 miles. It was a lot of switchback but it was in a nice forested area and the trail was soft. It ended up not being as bad as expected. Maybe I was finally getting my trail legs. Of course once you go up you must once again go down. Here is the view once I reach the top.
The climb down was also on a soft trail without too many rocks making it much easier. The first part was through the forest but then it opened to a beautiful view for the rest of the day. The scenery was spectacular.
The rest of the day I hike along Bear Creek. At about 7.5 miles I stopped along the creek and found a wonderful spot to camp but it was only 2:30. I decided I should keep going. Soon I thought I had made the wrong decision. I couldn’t find a spot. By mile 9 I found the best spot right by the river and a waterfall. It was a bit rocky so I had to tie my tent down to rocks. Donna ended up joining me again. We spent a great evening relaxing, cleaning and enjoying the river.
myrestlesssoles 
Wow!!!! When did you start this hike?
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