The last half mile up to The Loch...
When you arrive at Loch Vale, all of the hard work it took to get here is fully rewarded to the viewer who is fortunate enough to be able to gaze upon the beauty of the landscapes before him. I love trekking in winter in the Rockies as the snow adds dimension depth and grandeur to the rock faces and rocky notches in the precipice. As with most winter lakes at this elevation, there was a very strong wind blowing off the rock faces and across the lake that hits you like small icy nails. Wearing face gear and sunglasses is advised, as these powerful winds can sting the face a bit. The power of the wind is obvious looking at the twisted and mangled trees along the shoreline of this sub-alpine arena-