| A map of Avalanche Lake and surrounding area. Thanks to National Geographic Trails Illustrated for a great map. Our hike was 5.75 miles round trip (not just to the lake, we hiked around it part way) and lasted 3.5 hours.
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| Small waterfall on Avalanche Creek
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| The canyon of the Avalanche Creek trail is littered with downed trees and giant boulders swept downstream by the flood waters of melting snow and runoff.
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| Just below and left of center, you may be able to see the goat or sheep on the cliff. Amazing how they can move on these ledges
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| At the end of Avalanche Lake, a log jam formed at the Avalanche Creek outlet
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| Avalanche Lake
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| Tamias minimus or the 'least chipmunk' is often referred to as the 'sandwich chipmunk' here along the shores of Avalanche Lake
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| A photographer of the lake and its scenery. After lugging that camera and tripod all the way down the trail, I'm sure he'll be taking a number of shots.
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| Gazing
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| Chip again, this time he got himself a cherry from somewhere (or maybe someone?). He looked for food from us, but was disappointed. Now he's a web-star though. Not much consolation for a hungry rodent.
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| From further around the edge of the lake
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| The green hue is most visible from certain angles
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| A view from further along the shore trail. The second photo looks back to the 'main' shore area where the earlier photos were taken
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| Looking at these photos reminds me of the sheer size of these mountain cliffs
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| More evidence of the power of the flooding creek
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| This massive boulder must have been at least 50 feet tall. Imagine that crashing down from above!
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| Just downstream from these rapids a deep channel was cut into the rock.
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| Notice how smooth the rock is. The rush of the water was awesome
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