The Teton Crest Trail - Wyoming - Part 15 - Day 4 - Holly Lake

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The trip over the top was such a relief from the relentless climb.  It gave us a fresh view of our new destination and challenges.  We managed to score one of the few campsites available at Holly Lake - a picturesque alpine lake at the bottom of Mount Woodring's (11,590 ft) steep mountain face.  The lake was a mile or so away and we could not wait to get there - but we had some descending to do and I actually find it harder on my body than ascending.  From a cardiovascular perspective it is not hard, but the pounding demands on the knees, thighs and ankles builds up to an intensity that make you oddly long to climb again.

The view from the divide was intimidating - barren and treeless.  It seemed very unforgiving and I was a bit apprehensive for the first time.  The trail hugged the side of a mountain promontory and turned sharply back and forth in front to drop altitude.  The tight turns sometimes had rocks jutting out that seemed to seek out weary backpackers who were not paying attention.  The rocks would jump out and try to push you off the trail as they slam into your backpack on the turns.  If pitched off the trail here there would be a long bloody broken tumble to the bottom.

Not surprisingly there was some blood on the rock walls from hiker's bleeding hands or shoulders. Errant crashes onto the rocky trail leaving blood painted on the rocks - is this the origin of the name Paintbrush Divide?  The angels had left us now; alone on our trek down this devilish trail.

The trail over the divide winds down from this promontory onto the loose scree trail below.

Looking for some comfort in this view  - ice, rock and blazing sun

Tiny hikers below

Guardian of Paintbrush Divide - Sir Marmot Whistle Pig

Holly Lake is down there somewhere

Mount Woodring (11,590ft) - peak at the left

Mount Moran (12,605 ft)- with the dark band of rock (the Black Dyke) near the summit.

Whitey admiring the blood on the rocks

Entering the ice zone - Whitey taking a break - "Wish I had an ice axe!!"

Whitey - steady now!

After the ice it was a straightforward affair - down, down, down.  The knees and thighs were screaming but there were enough flat switchbacks to cool down the legs.  We started to get into some green vegetation again - the windswept moonscapes of the 10,000 foot passes were behind us now.

When we rolled into camp - Sugar was already there starting to get out his kit to set up his tent.  As friends do for each other - Sugar was tasked to dig a suitable cat hole for Whitey so he could deal with some personal business right away.  This favor has gone a long way in conversations.  I don't know if it is like taking a bullet for someone - but it never fails to raise a laugh when mentioned - "remember that time you had to dig a ... "

Below Paintbrush Divide - a long ways up

Holly Lake (9,410 ft)

The lakes in the valley - Jackson Lake - far lake -  Lake Leigh - first lake

The painters returned tonight - gorgeous sunset on the streaked walls of Paintbrush Canyon - that must be how it was named

So for our final night on the trail - we gorged ourselves - we had an extra dinner serving without Flyrod so we ate like kings.  Flyrod was probably sitting at the Mangy Moose Saloon in the Teton Village eating a hamburger and fries - not to mention a cold beer or two.  But I think we are the lucky ones to see this spectacular view.  Tomorrow we would head down the mountain and return to civilization. 


Go here next - Teton Crest Trail -Part 16

or back to beginning - Teton Crest Trail - Part 1