Hyas Lake

Last week we finally made it out backpacking! We didn't make it last year because it wasn't part of our birth plan or postpartum recovery ;). I really wanted to try backpacking with Emerson when she was little (i.e., lighter and ate less) but it just didn't happen.

We try to go at least once a year with our good friends, Jason and Whitney, and this year it happened! I have to stop and give major recognition to Whitney because she still went even though she was 6 months pregnant! I'm serious! She is supermom! Pregnant and carrying a pack with a wiggly toddler in it! Props should also go to our sweet husbands and their sherpa-dad brute strength.

The trailhead parking lot was really full and we were worried about finding a spot, but as it turns out, this trailhead goes to several different locations, so although the trail was busy, most people were going further than us :).

Hyas Lake is a short, sweet 2 miles into the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. There were a handful of nice, open campsites as we walked past the lake, which were also pretty open to the trail. However, we didn't see many better places to camp so we went back to one of them with water access. It was a great spot, despite the view of the trail.

Truthfully, I was glad Whitney made the call to do a shorter hike! We were all a little out of shape and carrying new packs or heavier loads than usual. It was a great way to break back into backpacking and to introduce our kiddos to woods.

 So without further ado... here's the weekend in pictures.

About to start our little adventure

This is pretty much all I see of Blake on the trail, always his back as he plows ahead. 

Loaded down pack, entering the Alpine Lakes Wilderness

My girl and me, she's just young enough to enjoy the ride vs wanting to get out and walk.

Lincoln, however, is older and very curious. He's a better walker than Emerson too.

Pretty much the cutest little hiker I've ever seen!

He did get a little distracted though, and needed reminders about which way we were trying to go ;)

Cathedral rock in the background (I think) and a soggy meadow on our way up.

A little family selfie... or groupie?

If I was more creative (or wore more jewelry) I'd have picked this up and made
a bracelet out of it. Crazy how pretty the bugs make the underside of bark.

Little Hyas Lake

Taking a little nap

Back down to the bigger/lower Hyas lake and near our campsite. 

Sweet babies

Emerson 'getting' Lincs

Keeping Auntie Whitney warm

My tent-mates early in the morning.. it was a cold night the first night..

Napping in the tent

We took a day hike further up the trail. We ended up going another 2.5 miles up and several more feet in elevation.

On our day hike.

Daddy got a turn with the lighter pack (and mommy got a break)

Emerson's first time on the PCT

At our turn around and break spot on the PCT 

My little camper

Ready to head home

Jason thought we should do a pointing picture.. so we thought we'd try it and see if the kids caught on.
They didn't.

So glad we had some time in the woods with our friends making memories. And so glad Whitney was willing to go backpacking while pregnant!