As Karen and I arrived at Lanham Lake, the rising sun was peeking over a ridge above the lake. I rushed to take photos.

As usual, we used micro-spikes on packed snow and ice on the trail. But going off-trail put us in deep snow. We needed snowshoes. I hate carrying snowshoes; they are heavy and bulky.

After lunch, we decided to climb up a valley to a high alpine meadow. In previous years, avalanche danger turned us back. Not today.

"I feel like a little kid taking giant steps in Daddy's footprints," I quipped.

A tall man (long steps) with large snowshoes had broken trail. His snowshoe footprints supported us 80% of the time. The rest of the time we broke through up to our knees. Snowshoes would have prevented that.

We decided he was an experienced outdoorsman from the safe route he chose over streams in steep terrain. Thanks, Mr. Outdoorsman!

Lanham Lake is a steep, short hike. By climbing above the lake, we hiked 5.8 miles total with 1,640 feet of elevation gain. It was hard work.

Cascade Mountains were spectacular!

Photos:

1. Sunrise peeks over a ridge at Lanham Lake.
2. High alpine meadow above Lanham Lake.
3. Karen appreciating the beauty.
4. Deep snow above the lake created a circular pattern.
5. Sunrise looks like fire as it rises over the ridge.