We knew from the day before that our hike would be roughly ten miles, so we packed appropriately: water bottles topped up, trekking poles ready, and enough supplies for a full day on the trail. Our objective was the Alta Lakes in the San Juan Mountains, and the morning was crisp and promising as we set off toward the ridge.
As we climbed, we paused often to take in the scenery and breathe the clean scent of evergreen. While Stephen was busy carving his name in the snow—yes, the predictable hill-top ritual—I scanned the landscape with my zoom lens. Far off, something unusual caught my eye. It looked like a figure. My heart jumped. I showed Stephen the zoomed view and he stammered, fixing his gloves and muttering “What is that?” The image felt unsettling even at maximum zoom. I didn’t want to linger in speculation; for a moment I just wanted to head down. But curiosity kept us planted.
At first, we speculated it might be a hunter — a side profile of someone with a pack and camouflage. It was not hunting season, and there was no movement. For a while the scene felt eerie, and for a moment I imagined worse scenarios: perhaps something hidden in the melting snow. The surrounding landscape was still blanketed in white, so the image stood out sharply against the expanse.
After watching and waiting, we finally concluded it was simply an oddly shaped stump with roots exposed — a natural sculpture that, at a distance, played tricks on the eye. Satisfied with that explanation, we carefully navigated around the stump and continued on our route.
By midday we stopped for lunch in front of the remains of an old mining settlement. Only a few weathered buildings remain, along with a mine entrance and faded signs advising visitors to stay on the road. The setting was atmospheric, a quiet reminder of the area’s history amidst the alpine scenery.
The lunch spread was simple but satisfying—homemade granola crumble bars, fresh fruit, and sandwiches made ahead of time. We ate while soaking up the sun and admiring the wide view. I miss the quality of light we get out here; it’s different from the light in my kitchen at home. That golden alpine sun made the meal taste even better.
After lunch we pushed the final two miles to the lakes. When we arrived, the scene was hushed and immaculate: the surface frozen, the sky a startlingly pure blue. The only edits to the photos from that spot were minor crops—the colors and clarity were exactly what we witnessed. The lakes felt remote and timeless, surrounded by snow and rocky ridgelines.
After a full and breathtaking day on the trail we returned to the hotel. We chose to dine in that evening—pasta followed by a rich chocolate dessert was the perfect finish. It was a satisfying end to an adventurous day, full of striking views, odd discoveries, and shared laughter on the path to Alta Lakes.