Forestdale Divide, July 17, 2018

Makisha and Penny joined me on a recon mission to a classic old favorite area, Forestdale Divide. Previous reports of the road being closed seemed to be in error as there were no closed signs. In fact, the road from Hwy. 88 down to the bridge over Forestdale Creek was the best I had ever seen it. It felt like it was freshly graded. However, the road after the bridge was close to the worst I had ever seen it and it looked nearly unpassable just before the “Right Patch.” We headed back down to the “Center Patch” which had more snow and looked a lot safer.

Stev, Makisha and Penny on our first of three runs on the Center Patch. (self-timer photo)

Stev, and Penny on our second of three runs on the Center Patch. (self-timer photo)

After one more run we headed out for more snow recon as well as ways to keep cool.

Penny cools off in Forestdale Creek.

After cooling off in Forestdale Creek we headed down and all the way around past Blue Lakes to Lost Lakes.

Makisha and Penny cool off at Lost Lakes.

We continued on until we were on the other side of Forestdale Divide. We hiked over to the Luniz Patch.

Makisha looks across the Luniz Patch at Penny in the pond.

In order to be able to say “I got five on it,” I took five runs on the Luniz Patch.

Penny, Stev, and Makisha on our first of five runs on the Luniz Patch. (self-timer photo)

Penny, Makisha, and Stev on our second of five runs on the Luniz Patch. (self-timer photo)

Stev, Makisha and Penny on our third of five runs on the Luniz Patch. (self-timer photo)

Stev, Makisha and Penny on our fourth of five runs on the Luniz Patch. (self-timer photo)

Stev, Makisha and Penny on our fifth of five runs on the Luniz Patch. (self-timer photo)

Stev taking a dip to cool off in the pond below the Luniz Patch along with Makisha and Penny. (self-timer photo)

Apre-ski wildflowers.

Mission accomplished. We found snow and water at elevation to escape the July heat.