Blowdown Pass

Driving in

Turning off just after Duffey Lake, we proceded roughly 10km up a rugged forest service road to Blowdown Pass, entrance to the Stein Valley.

Setting up camp

We settled in next to the lake beneath the pass in the shadow of Gotcha Peak

cLEAR NIGHT

Our first night was clear so I took advantage to do some long exposure photography.

Morning

We hiked back up to Blowdown Pass and stared into the Stein Valley before making out way up Gott Peak

Hiking Gott Peak

We enjoyed great views into Cottonwood Creek and down to Blowdown Lake on our way up. At the sub summit @ 8000ft we found a cryptic message in the register.

Reaching Gott Peak

Walking along the ridge to the summit @ 8238ft we could see our camp far below. After a quick lunch at the top we headed back to Blowdown Pass.

Gotcha Peak

With plenty of time left in our day we decided to scramble up Gotcha Peak across from Gott Peak. Our route also gave us a chance to recon our plans for tomorrow.

Camp

Took the oppurtunity to relocate our vehicle closer to our camp as well as spend some time taking in our surroundings.

Cabin in the woods

Skirting the flanks of Gotcha Peak past the Kidney Lakes we spotted yesterday we traversed over to the winter cabin we’d done some reading about.

Hiking back

Our route back took us along the ridge from Not Gott Peak, and over Gott Peak. It was slightly more than we bargained for although we did pass an amazing assortment of alpine lakes.

Hiking the ridge