Fairangel Valley- Hatcher Pass

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I had to accomplish my COVID testing in order to have my surgery tomorrow, but I could tell straight away it was going to be a beautiful day.

While doing Archangel yesterday, I saw an area I knew I wanted to check out in the future.

After a little bit of begging, Sean agreed to go!

Today we did Fairangel Valley.

Sean and I actually attempted this trail the first time we lived here and I was pregnant with Autumn.

I fell into Fairangel Creek during a water crossing that time.

I did a little better today, but this hike is challenging with a broken bone.

Here are the photos:

After my COVID test!  

It made my eyes water.

This is my third one!

Thankfully, that lasts a minute or so and then we were off to a beautiful day!
The water crossing.
I thought that was a lake, but I guess it was just a pool of water.
The mine shaft.
The view from outside the mine shaft.
The view from inside the mine shaft looking out.
That was a workout!  My collar bone is ON fire.  I kept telling myself that I only have one more day of this stupid collar bone!  I really wanted to go into the shaft further, but I did what any reasonable wife would do....
I sent Sean and my little dog in first!  HA HA
It was really nice in the shaft.  Cool, no more mosquitoes!
The back of the mine shaft.  We did not go any further than this.
Looking back to the opening.
Can you hear me now Fairangel Valley?
One more look back before we head up.
Making our way up.  This was a bit easier than the boulder field we climbed through on the right, but there was mud.  I think it must have rained yesterday.
The mining equipment was cool, but hot to the touch.  I know because I touched it with my hand.

Star Gentian.  Very purple flower.
Leatherleaf Saxifrage.

While I was right here, I was singing "I see fields of green, leatherleaf saxifrage too".
The trail.
The snow.
The waterfall.  
Shortly after this spot, I fell and slid about 5 feet.  I got going pretty fast and threw my arms out to catch myself.  It hurt.  There were tears.  Once I got up and around the corner, imagine my surprise when I saw:
This crystal blue-green lake, shimmering with the sunshine.  

I give you Lower Fairangel Lake.
It is gorgeous.  Sean asks me, do you want to keep going up?  Yes!
So we walked around a bit and then headed up.
Up.
Up!
Then found that there was in fact another lake.

I give you Upper Fairangel Lake.
Tetanus.
Sitting on the dock of the..... rock.
I wish I knew the names of the peaks, if they have one.  They should!
Cheese.
On our way back down, Sean decided to go swimming.  He got in up to his knees and then turned around.  LOL

One last look.
The waterfalls again.
Inky Gentian.
Stunning trail with views.
While up there, I saw at least one maybe two more mines that could be explored.

Maybe another day.

Overall, we did 4 miles round trip and roughly 1,000 feet of elevation gain.

I report to the hospital in the morning at 715.

I am most nervous about my hip and pain management.

"Normal" pain medicines do not work for me.

Just praying for a successful outcome, the ability to walk after and good pain management.

The Jordan's.


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