This is a hard hike so let your party know. The trailhead is at Saddlebag Lake. You want to be here at sunrise. I wasn't prepared for the awe inspiring beauty of the lake with the morning sun coming up behind, lighting the mountains at the far end and lighting part of the lake in gold as the rising sun bounced off the nearby mountain. I was so blown away by the beauty, I kinda floated along the path that take you around the lake to where you will begin your hike up. If you are with a non-serious hike, have then do the path around the lake, it's wonderful.
Use the route that I think was posted (and I've attached here (blue in the picture). The green track on the chart pictured was my ascent. I mistakenly veered left a bit and ended up in some really bad scree. Yes, there is scree for the last mile+ but this was loose and deep, to the point where my poles were sinking in to the first knuckle (1 foot). The last quarter to half mile is loose talus so have some good soles and enjoy the suck.
As you come up to the summit, prepared to be blown away (if you are looking at the west side of it). It's a OMFG moment. My approach from the west side just blew me away. Jam your pole in the rock at the summit and get to work.
The descent is going to be some work.
I wasn't Prepared
I wasn't prepared for the beauty of the lake as I came around the corner. It was calm, cradled by the mountains. It was breathtaking.
As the sun rose behind me, It lit the mountains at the far end of the lake. I just wasn't prepared for this spectacle. It was absolutely next level.
I wasn't prepared to see the lake, lit in gold as the rising sun bounced off the nearby mountain. I was stunned.
My backpack was loaded with water, the "10 essentials", and other gear, but nobody told me to bring tissues to wipe my eye, and blow my nose (yes I cried).
I wasn't prepared for this moment at all.
Chris Claborne
Saddlebag Lake
9/24/2025
