Chilly evening on the deck at Louisa's uncle's house, so Matthew keeps warm with this cool hat made by Louisa's (cousin?). 

Taken: Aug 8, 2011

About a mile below Thunder Lake from the trail, this southward view of Mahana Peak through the trees appears. Cloudless day so far! 

Taken: Aug 8, 2011

It's hard to believe that Matthew West (seen here) and Hikemaster Scott have done 7 hikes together in 2011! That may be more than when they were hikemasters together in 2008-2009! Awesome! 

Taken: Aug 8, 2011

Hikemaster Scott (left) and Matthew use their poles to play a game of Tic-Tac-Toe near Thunder Lake during a hiking break. 

Taken: Aug 8, 2011

Hikemaster Scott's first visit to Thunder Lake (10,600 ft) in 2011. Today's destination, Pilot Mountain (at extreme right) blends into the rocks of Mt. Alice which rises behind it. 

Taken: Aug 8, 2011

It's over 6 miles to Thunder Lake, even with the campsite trail, so a little rest break at the patrol cabin by Thunder Lake was in order -- Hikemaster Scott enjoys a brief snooze. 

Taken: Aug 8, 2011

Two sleeping hikers at Thunder Lake -- one vertical and one horizontal!!! 

Taken: Aug 8, 2011

Fishing was in progress near the outlet stream of Thunder Lake. 

Taken: Aug 8, 2011

The next stop, Fan Falls, begins with a walk around Thunder Lake, offering extended views to the south and west. There's still a lot of hard-to-see snow between Thunder Lake and Boulder-Grand pass. 

Taken: Aug 8, 2011

From the hillside north of Thunder Lake, this look to the northwest shows Pilot Mountain (12,200 ft, 67th highest in RMNP).. The trouble is trying to identify the true summit. 

Taken: Aug 8, 2011

Matthew (right) and Hikemaster Scott have shared many a hike together since 2007. Today, they'll add Pilot Mountain (backdrop) to their list of joint accomplishments! 

Taken: Aug 8, 2011

No, that's not Fan Falls -- it's an un-named falls on the outlet stream from Falcon Lake. Falcon Lake sits due south of Pilot Mountain, and from Pilot's summit, a magnificent view straight down into Falcon is available (see later photo). 

Taken: Aug 8, 2011

Water flows swiftly out of the un-named lake above Fan Falls. Here, Fan Creek runs downhill through lush, green land towards Thunder Lake. Matthew admires the gorgeous scenery here. 

Taken: Aug 8, 2011

Fan Falls (11,200 ft) is an impressive cascade of water. Hikemaster Scott had never previously enjoyed this falls from so close-up. 

Taken: Aug 8, 2011

Hikemaster Scott loved Fan Falls. The terrain near the falls is steep, but to get on the shelf above, one can hike a ways to the right of the falls. 

Taken: Aug 8, 2011

Hi Louisa! She joins Hikemaster Scott for a photo at Fan Falls! It's been great to share a couple fun hikes together this summer :-) Louisa loved this Wild Basin adventure! 

Taken: Aug 8, 2011

Matthew poses for the camera in front of Fan Creek with Pilot Mountain in the backdrop. There were still no clouds to be seen. 

Taken: Aug 8, 2011

Near Fan Falls, Thunder Lake sits 600 feet below to the southeast, while St. Vrain Mountain rises prominently in the distance further to the southeast. 

Taken: Aug 8, 2011

Hikemaster Scott stands on the shelf above Fan Falls, where this gorgeous view of Mt. Alice (13,310 ft, 12th in RMNP) appears. Something else is apparent here: a new idea about how to climb Alice -- look at all that green! 

Taken: Aug 8, 2011

Pilot Mountain is the left-most spire in this image. The rest of the backdrop peak is Mt. Alice. What a majestic mountain! It's so great to see it up close :-) 

Taken: Aug 8, 2011

A westward look from the shelf above Fan Falls reveals a lake Hikemaster Scott visited a few years ago high in Wild Basin: Falcon Lake! It is directly beneath Pilot Mtn to the south. 

Taken: Aug 8, 2011

A first view of the un-named lake on the shelf above Fan Falls. This lake feeds the falls. Not a cloud in the sky! 

Taken: Aug 8, 2011

Splendid scenery to the west of the un-named lake! Alice looks climbable on green stuff in the area between its two main summits -- perhaps Hikemaster Scott can get up Alice that way someday? 

Taken: Aug 8, 2011

Matthew stands atop a rock next to the un-named lake above Fan Falls, with Chiefshead (13,579 ft, 3rd in RMNP) rising dramatically to the north. 

Taken: Aug 8, 2011