Beartooth Mountains 2008

At the trailhead at Beartooth Lake.

2008-09-02T01:30:52Z

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At the trailhead at Beartooth Lake.

Another look from the trailhead. Clay Butte towering above Beartooth Lake.

2008-09-02T01:31:25Z

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Another look from the trailhead. Clay Butte towering above Beartooth Lake.

Another view of Beartooth Lake and Clay Butte from a little ways down the trail.

2008-09-02T01:32:00Z

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Another view of Beartooth Lake and Clay Butte from a little ways down the trail.

Hiking along the trail around Beartooth Lake.

2008-09-02T01:32:20Z

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Hiking along the trail around Beartooth Lake.

The inlet stream to Beartooth Lake.

2008-09-02T01:32:52Z

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The inlet stream to Beartooth Lake.

Same as previous, but dinking around with the camera.

2008-09-02T01:33:15Z

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Same as previous, but dinking around with the camera.

And yet again...

2008-09-02T01:34:03Z

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And yet again...

A short rockface along the trail.

2008-09-02T01:34:23Z

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A short rockface along the trail.

Arrival at Beauty Lake.

2008-09-02T01:34:36Z

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Arrival at Beauty Lake.

I was there.

2008-09-02T01:34:45Z

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I was there.

Another angle of Beauty Lake.

2008-09-02T01:34:58Z

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Another angle of Beauty Lake.

And again...

2008-09-02T01:35:13Z

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And again...

Another view from the outlet of Beauty Lake.

2008-09-02T07:40:50Z

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Another view from the outlet of Beauty Lake.

A little bit to the East.

2008-09-02T07:41:05Z

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A little bit to the East.

Looking back from the other end of Beauty Lake with the Butte peeking up over the horizon.

2008-09-02T07:41:42Z

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Looking back from the other end of Beauty Lake with the Butte peeking up over the horizon.

Hiking along the trail up towards Flake Lake. This was the last few hundred yards of trail, Day 2 we parted ways with trails and headed for the real backcountry.

2008-09-02T07:43:06Z

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Hiking along the trail up towards Flake Lake. This was the last few hundred yards of trail, Day 2 we parted ways with trails and headed for the real backcountry.

A small unnamed lake below Flake Lake. We decided to camp on the other side of this because there were already people camping at Flake.

2008-09-02T07:43:50Z

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A small unnamed lake below Flake Lake. We decided to camp on the other side of this because there were already people camping at Flake.

Another look at the unnamed lake.

2008-09-02T07:44:22Z

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Another look at the unnamed lake.

The view from the campsite.

2008-09-02T07:44:41Z

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The view from the campsite.

Climbed up a ridge behind the campsite to get some pictures. Looking back South, the butte can be clearly seen. Ominous clouds began gathering as we set up camp.

2008-09-02T07:45:37Z

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Climbed up a ridge behind the campsite to get some pictures. Looking back South, the butte can be clearly seen. Ominous clouds began gathering as we set up camp.

Looking North toward tomorrow's route, the Beartooth Plateau.

2008-09-02T07:46:39Z

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Looking North toward tomorrow's route, the Beartooth Plateau.

Looking Eastward.

2008-09-02T07:46:58Z

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Looking Eastward.

Looking up a boulder-strewn valley along the ridge. Disoriented yet? The last four pictures were all taken from the same place.

2008-09-02T07:47:55Z

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Looking up a boulder-strewn valley along the ridge. Disoriented yet? The last four pictures were all taken from the same place.

Looking South again from higher up. For reference, the campsite was somewhere off the lower left corner of this picture.

2008-09-02T07:48:47Z

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Looking South again from higher up. For reference, the campsite was somewhere off the lower left corner of this picture.

The first good view of Lonesome Mountain on the left and the plateau peeking over the hill to the right.

2008-09-02T07:49:28Z

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The first good view of Lonesome Mountain on the left and the plateau peeking over the hill to the right.

Looking up the valley between Lonesome Mountain and the plateau toward the scenery to come.

2008-09-02T07:50:12Z

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Looking up the valley between Lonesome Mountain and the plateau toward the scenery to come.

Looking up toward the plateau, which we dubbed "Lightning Ridge" while first looking at topo maps. The plan was to hike along the treeless, 11,000-foot-plus ridge for about five miles. The ...

2008-09-02T07:52:49Z

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Looking up toward the plateau, which we dubbed "Lightning Ridge" while first looking at topo maps. The plan was to hike along the treeless, 11,000-foot-plus ridge for about five miles. The ...

Campsite on the evening of Day 1. Plenty of mosquitoes present, but not oppressively bad. Lake infested with small brookies.

2008-09-02T07:54:25Z

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Campsite on the evening of Day 1. Plenty of mosquitoes present, but not oppressively bad. Lake infested with small brookies.

The view just before sunrise on Day 2.

2008-09-02T07:54:50Z

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The view just before sunrise on Day 2.

Sunlight creeping down the side of the Plateau as we try to dry condensation off the tent fly.

2008-09-02T07:55:27Z

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Sunlight creeping down the side of the Plateau as we try to dry condensation off the tent fly.

The view across Flake Lake as we began the day's hike.

2008-09-02T07:55:46Z

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The view across Flake Lake as we began the day's hike.

Looking eastward across a calm Flake Lake.

2008-09-02T07:56:47Z

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Looking eastward across a calm Flake Lake.

Waterfalls at the inlet of Flake Lake. We followed this stream up to some small unnamed lakes.

2008-09-02T07:57:25Z

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Waterfalls at the inlet of Flake Lake. We followed this stream up to some small unnamed lakes.

Beginning the climb up to the unnamed lakes. Looking back over Flake to the SE.

2008-09-02T07:57:53Z

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Beginning the climb up to the unnamed lakes. Looking back over Flake to the SE.

A look at the hiking terrain as we followed the stream upwards.

2008-09-02T07:58:18Z

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A look at the hiking terrain as we followed the stream upwards.

More waterfalls.

2008-09-02T07:58:40Z

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More waterfalls.

Looking back at Flake again. Getting higher.

2008-09-02T07:59:01Z

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Looking back at Flake again. Getting higher.

Looking back at Flake again. The butte makes another appearance in the upper left of the picture.

2008-09-02T07:59:42Z

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Looking back at Flake again. The butte makes another appearance in the upper left of the picture.

More waterfalls and messing with camera settings. Not as good as I'd hoped.

2008-09-02T08:00:03Z

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More waterfalls and messing with camera settings. Not as good as I'd hoped.

Blair hiking upward and onward.

2008-09-02T08:00:18Z

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Blair hiking upward and onward.

Arrival at the unnamed lakes. Stopped for some water. Found a marmot looking at our packs and licking his lips. Our route took us up the mountain seen on the other side of this lake.

2008-09-02T08:01:51Z

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Arrival at the unnamed lakes. Stopped for some water. Found a marmot looking at our packs and licking his lips. Our route took us up the mountain seen on the other side of this lake.

Our first good look at the plateau. Also noticed the ominous, huge snowdrift in our path. Hoped it didn't affect our hike. Could be disappointing to be blocked by a snowdrift on a ridge 1 ...

2008-09-02T08:03:18Z

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Our first good look at the plateau. Also noticed the ominous, huge snowdrift in our path. Hoped it didn't affect our hike. Could be disappointing to be blocked by a snowdrift on a ridge 1 ...

Heading around the unnamed lakes, we came across the first of countless boulder fields.

2008-09-02T08:04:03Z

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Heading around the unnamed lakes, we came across the first of countless boulder fields.

Came across the first snowdrift in the boulder field.

2008-09-02T08:04:31Z

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Came across the first snowdrift in the boulder field.

Looking across the lake to Lightning Ridge.

2008-09-02T08:05:00Z

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Looking across the lake to Lightning Ridge.

A view from partway up the climb. High enough to get a full view of the butte. As a preview, we hiked right alongside the butte on our way out on the last day.

2008-09-02T08:06:01Z

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A view from partway up the climb. High enough to get a full view of the butte. As a preview, we hiked right alongside the butte on our way out on the last day.

The hiking was rather steep.

2008-09-02T08:06:28Z

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The hiking was rather steep.

Looking back down the route we chose to go up onto the plateau.

2008-09-02T08:07:02Z

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Looking back down the route we chose to go up onto the plateau.

About halfway to Lightning Ridge from the unnamed Lakes. Lonesome Mountain can clearly be seen in the middle of the picture.

2008-09-02T08:07:43Z

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About halfway to Lightning Ridge from the unnamed Lakes. Lonesome Mountain can clearly be seen in the middle of the picture.

Looking to where we'll be very soon.

2008-09-02T08:08:03Z

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Looking to where we'll be very soon.

Almost there. Now we are high enough to look over the other side of the ridge. Blair can be clearly seen taking some of the first of over 800 pictures. Nobody can say this trip was not fu ...

2008-09-02T08:09:42Z

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Almost there. Now we are high enough to look over the other side of the ridge. Blair can be clearly seen taking some of the first of over 800 pictures. Nobody can say this trip was not fu ...

A better look at the lake over the ridge. Do not know its name.

2008-09-02T08:10:16Z

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A better look at the lake over the ridge. Do not know its name.

Looking along the ridge as it branches off to the East. We continued on Northward.

2008-09-02T08:10:47Z

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Looking along the ridge as it branches off to the East. We continued on Northward.

Getting up there now. Looking back at Island Lake, another popular trailhead.

2008-09-02T08:11:22Z

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Getting up there now. Looking back at Island Lake, another popular trailhead.

Looking towards Lonesome and the terrain to come.

2008-09-02T08:11:42Z

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Looking towards Lonesome and the terrain to come.

Continuing upward along the ridge.

2008-09-02T08:12:01Z

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Continuing upward along the ridge.

Looking at Island Lake again.

2008-09-02T08:12:26Z

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Looking at Island Lake again.

Looking over a lake (Wall Lake?).

2008-09-02T08:12:56Z

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Looking over a lake (Wall Lake?).

Finally high enough to get a fairly clear view of the plateau. We would hike past Lonesome Mountain before climbing down off of it to Jasper Lake.

2008-09-02T08:13:43Z

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Finally high enough to get a fairly clear view of the plateau. We would hike past Lonesome Mountain before climbing down off of it to Jasper Lake.

Now we are way up on the plateau. Still a lot of uphill to go. Lots of flat meadows of very short alpine grasses, flowers, and lots of lichens.

2008-09-02T08:14:56Z

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Now we are way up on the plateau. Still a lot of uphill to go. Lots of flat meadows of very short alpine grasses, flowers, and lots of lichens.

One of the more odd finds of the trip, cowpies at 11,000 feet on a very difficult to climb plateau. This is very interesting, and I thought it was definitely worth a picture so people would ...

2008-09-02T08:16:12Z

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One of the more odd finds of the trip, cowpies at 11,000 feet on a very difficult to climb plateau. This is very interesting, and I thought it was definitely worth a picture so people would ...

Now we're really looking down on the butte.

2008-09-02T08:16:29Z

starkfiles
Now we're really looking down on the butte.

Still going up, hiking among some cool alpine flowers and, you got it, more boulder and rock fields.

2008-09-02T08:17:05Z

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Still going up, hiking among some cool alpine flowers and, you got it, more boulder and rock fields.

Hiking towards the great snowdrift. Fortunately, the best hiking route along the ridge went around the drift, so it only provided some cool scenery.

2008-09-02T08:18:03Z

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Hiking towards the great snowdrift. Fortunately, the best hiking route along the ridge went around the drift, so it only provided some cool scenery.

Looking across the boulder field, with Lonesome Mountain just peeking around the plateau, if you know what you're looking for.

2008-09-02T08:18:46Z

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Looking across the boulder field, with Lonesome Mountain just peeking around the plateau, if you know what you're looking for.

Another angle, looking NW toward Lonesome Mountain.

2008-09-02T08:19:25Z

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Another angle, looking NW toward Lonesome Mountain.

Another angle, looking more westward.

2008-09-02T08:19:47Z

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Another angle, looking more westward.

Looking back toward the trailhead. The uppermost lake is Beartooth Lake, directly below it is Beauty. We are now a whole lot higher than the butte.

2008-09-02T08:20:40Z

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Looking back toward the trailhead. The uppermost lake is Beartooth Lake, directly below it is Beauty. We are now a whole lot higher than the butte.

A picture with Blair for a bit of a sense of scale.

2008-09-02T08:21:05Z

starkfiles
A picture with Blair for a bit of a sense of scale.

I was there.

2008-09-02T08:21:18Z

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I was there.

I was there version 2.

2008-09-02T08:21:42Z

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I was there version 2.

Looking southward along the edge of the plateau.

2008-09-02T08:22:10Z

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Looking southward along the edge of the plateau.

Looking back down toward Beartooth Lake.

2008-09-02T08:22:30Z

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Looking back down toward Beartooth Lake.

We then hiked to the Eastern side of the plateau and got this amazing view. Pictures simply can't convey the scale of this canyon.

2008-09-02T08:23:45Z

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We then hiked to the Eastern side of the plateau and got this amazing view. Pictures simply can't convey the scale of this canyon.

We dropped our packs and spent a few minutes admiring the view. The lake in the picture is only about 3000 feet away--almost straight down. I thought that if we jumped just right, we could ...

2008-09-02T08:25:31Z

starkfiles
We dropped our packs and spent a few minutes admiring the view. The lake in the picture is only about 3000 feet away--almost straight down. I thought that if we jumped just right, we could ...

A wider view of the canyon. The Lake in the picture is Granite Lake, not sure of the names of the peaks.

2008-09-02T08:26:08Z

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A wider view of the canyon. The Lake in the picture is Granite Lake, not sure of the names of the peaks.

Looking down the slope to Granite Lake.

2008-09-02T08:26:27Z

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Looking down the slope to Granite Lake.

Another view.

2008-09-02T08:26:42Z

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Another view.

Looking SE through a ravine.

2008-09-02T08:27:06Z

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Looking SE through a ravine.

Looking back westward to the other side of the plateau.

2008-09-02T08:27:29Z

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Looking back westward to the other side of the plateau.

A clearer view eastward.

2008-09-02T08:28:04Z

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A clearer view eastward.

A slightly different angle.

2008-09-02T08:28:20Z

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A slightly different angle.

Turning back northward a bit.

2008-09-02T08:28:41Z

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Turning back northward a bit.

Again, Granite Lake and the peaks.

2008-09-02T08:29:01Z

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Again, Granite Lake and the peaks.

I was there!

2008-09-02T08:29:21Z

starkfiles
I was there!

The quickest route from here to Granite Lake. Not necessarily the best, but it would definitely be quick. As fast as gravity could pull you down, in fact.

2008-09-02T08:30:02Z

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The quickest route from here to Granite Lake. Not necessarily the best, but it would definitely be quick. As fast as gravity could pull you down, in fact.

Another view of the cliffs.

2008-09-02T08:30:17Z

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Another view of the cliffs.

IMG_0278

2008-09-02T08:27:47Z

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IMG_0278

Blair was there.

2008-09-02T08:31:24Z

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Blair was there.

IMG_0280

2008-09-02T08:27:47Z

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IMG_0280

IMG_0281

2008-09-02T08:27:47Z

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IMG_0281

IMG_0282

2008-09-02T08:27:47Z

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IMG_0282

Strapped the packs back on and pushed onward, trying to get to lower altitude before any storms blew up.

2008-09-02T08:32:32Z

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Strapped the packs back on and pushed onward, trying to get to lower altitude before any storms blew up.

Some kind of flowering moss growing on the rocks and gravel.

2008-09-02T08:32:59Z

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Some kind of flowering moss growing on the rocks and gravel.

The view across the plateau toward Lonesome Mountain. Getting a lot closer to it now.

2008-09-02T08:33:26Z

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The view across the plateau toward Lonesome Mountain. Getting a lot closer to it now.

A clearer view of the next portion of the plateau.

2008-09-02T08:33:59Z

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A clearer view of the next portion of the plateau.

Another look at the peaks, and a nice-looking pass. Could be a neat route for another year.

2008-09-02T08:34:58Z

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Another look at the peaks, and a nice-looking pass. Could be a neat route for another year.

Blair hiking along the plateau.

2008-09-02T08:35:14Z

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Blair hiking along the plateau.

Almost looking down on Lonesome Mountain from here.

2008-09-02T08:35:32Z

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Almost looking down on Lonesome Mountain from here.

Another big hill. The picture doesn't show the altitude change well, but it was 200 or 300 feet to the top from the bottom of the valley between hills.

2008-09-02T08:36:31Z

starkfiles
Another big hill. The picture doesn't show the altitude change well, but it was 200 or 300 feet to the top from the bottom of the valley between hills.