Lake Solitude in October

Every year, I am determined to drag out the summer as long as possible. Hiking through snow? No problem. Biking in a coat? Sure, if that’s what it takes. I’ve been to the Shoshone Geyser Basin on the first weekend of November. I’ve hiked up Signal Mountain on the first weekend in December. And last year I biked into Spalding Bay in mid-November. It’s always interesting to see what you find in the backcountry in the “shoulder season.”

Lake Solitude on October 17, 2009.

This year’s first experiment was a trip to Lake Solitude in mid-October from the north end of Jenny Lake through Cascade Canyon. I hoped that Lake Solitude hadn’t frozen and wanted to get to the north shore and photograph the lake in front of the snow-capped Tetons.

The view of the snow-capped Tetons from upper Cascade Canyon.

There was much more snow than I bargained for. Cascade Canyon before the forks was manageable – any snow was bootpacked. But I ran into quite a bit of snow past the forks, and by the time I got to Lake Solitude, there was easily a foot and a half.

Lake Solitude on October 17, 2009.

The lake, however, was unfrozen and the setting was absolutely gorgeous. I had the view of the pristine, crisp lake, surrounded by snow in front of the snow-capped mountains, all to myself. If I would have known how much snow there was, I would have brought snowshoes so I could get to the north shore. It wasn’t a good idea to go any further, so I enjoyed the spectacular scene from the south shore.

I hope you’ll enjoy my pictures.

I’ve written a full description of the Paintbrush Divide – Lake Solitude loop here.