A bit farther on the trail, there's nowhere to go but straight up. Trail signs usually point left or right, so it's amusing to see one pointing towards the sky. Chasm Lake sits in a 'bowl' in the high mountains -- surrounded by high rock cliffs, so the final climb to the lake is a bit of a scramble. It's okay to use your hands to help with the climb. No special climbing skills or equipment are needed; just some careful footing and a little determination. Another hiker is ahead of me, and I watch him climb up to help figure out the best route.


Chasm Lake and the rock walls around it are massive -- and now that I'm inside the 'bowl', it's again impossible to stand back far enough to capture the entire scene in a single photo. The hiker I followed up is at the lake (pictured), and I met about 6 other intrepid adventurers on this hike today. It's chilly and windy up here, and ice/snow can be seen around the walls.


An arm's-length self-portrait to commemorate the accomplishment. It's cold and windy here, so I don't stay long.


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