The outlet stream from charming Lake Laura becomes Rocky Run Creek after it falls down this 70 foot waterfall. Given the lack of snowpack this year, the water flow is already seriously reduced. There is no established trail over to Laura Falls but it is fairly easy to access if you leave the main path and travel below the cliffs just before you start the ascent to the spur trail to Lake Laura.

Tags:   Lake Laura Laura Falls Waterfall Boulders

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Wildflowers were at their peak. Near Lake Lillian, the trail passed through a huge stand of white Jupiter's Beard, also known as Valerian or Centranthus.

Tags:   Alpine Lakes Wilderness Lake Lillian Trail wild flowers centranthus Wilbur

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Wilbur rested above Lake Lillian as he considered the adventure ahead of us. From here, we went back down to the lake shore and traveled around the lake to the steep trail to the top of the ridge. The trail to the ridge is in the center of this image. After gaining the ridge, we traveled right on a goat trail across the ridge which disappears above Wilbur's head. I call it a goat trail because of the copious quantities of droppings and tufts of hair left on branches.

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We ascended the ridge above Lake Lillian on the scramble trail normally taken to access the "back door" to Rampart Lakes. Instead of turning left to travel to the lakes, we turned right and followed a goat path along the top of the ridge. The goats don't do a great job clearing a trail passable for humans but we managed. The ridge was narrow and bristled with trees and brush but the views were spectacular.

Tags:   Alpine Lakes Wilderness Lake Lillian view Ridge

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Many trees on the ridge top demonstrated life and death struggle with the elements. This tree lost.

Tags:   Lake Lake Lillian Alpine Lakes Wilderness tree dead tree Ridge

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