Rockin' the Rockies: Williams Lake

Williams lake at night.  The lights on the right side of the picture is our camp.  

Williams Lake, located at 11,700 ft in the Weminuche Wilderness in southern Colorado, is a picturesque and hard to get to alpine lake that offers stellar views and awesome fishing.   My buddies Kevin, Josh, and I, packed the 10 miles and 3300 feet up to this lake for a couple nights.  It was an immensely tough hike on a very little used and poorly maintained trail, but the reward was worth it.  We had the place to ourselves, save for some bears.

Since we saw no other footprints, we surmised that we were the first humans to make it this far on the trail since it's been passable on foot this year.  Therefore, the wildlife was abundant, and about five miles in, we stumbled upon a couple bears foraging in a meadow-a beautiful cinnamon colored guy and a larger, jet black bear.    We were able to watch from a distance briefly, but as soon as they got wind of our scent, they booked it straight up the slope.  So, no pics of the actual bears, but we found some good prints.   

Water was abundant, as the snowmelt was still flowing strong.  It seemed every gully and drainage was flowing, and there were waterfalls galore.   

But of course, we came here to slay some trout.  And that's just what we did, landing 20 in two days.  

Kevin leads the fish count, with 9.  Josh: 5, Me: 6

Kevin holding a fine cut-throat specimen.

  

We shall call ourselves "The Bent Poles".    Good start to Rockin' the Rockies fishing/backpacking tour.