Dana Lakes, July 26, 2015

Having seen snow recently around Mount Dana from Saddlebag Lake, George and I went on a snow recon mission that started at Tioga Lake. Hiking and fishing websites spoke of a two and a half mile hike to the first of four Dana Lakes. The approach felt longer and the trail seemed to evaporate the further we ventured out.

We hiked up above the first lake. Here are a couple of views:

The patch on the right above the lake looked pretty good from a distance. However, as we got closer, it seemed smaller and sideways.
The diagonal patch near the center left of this photo looked like a better option.

Another view. Mount Dana and what is left of Dana Couloir can be seen just over the ridge on the left.
Our closer view showed disconnected snow at the top and bottom of Dana Couloir and the snowfield looked pretty icy and dirty with rock fall.
We decided against hiking even further over two more scree covered ridges.

George at the second Dana Lake:

From here we had a loose rock and boulder scramble up to the snow patch.
At the top of the patch we could see all four Dana Lakes:

Stev dropping in:

Stev continuing down:

Video of George’s runs:

A sequence of Stev’s second run:

A sequence of George riding the patch:

The snow was good. This area has even more potential after a good winter.

Stev hiking out/boulder hopping below the patch:

A flower that I found to be interesting on the hike back:

Flowers and waterfalls on the hike back: