07/02/2025
Wednesday 6/25: We woke up atop the Flat Tops and were all still reveling in their beauty. Distant peaks decorated the horizon all around us. But the clouds were building and darkening as the morning progressed which gave us our obvious cue to get packed and on trail. Leaving this campsite gave us a new experience, one that we had yet to feel - we got to hike downhill! The group moved fast and efficiently and the miles flew by as fast as the clouds across the sky. After a few descending switchbacks the large Marvine Lakes were in sight! There were almost too many good camping spots to choose from but we found the perfect patch of grass to call home. Located near the bank of the lake, a beautiful view, a perfect fire pit, and just enough flat smooth surfaces for us to set up our tents. After choosing our location, we did our now ‘usual set-up camp protocol’. We unpacked our tents in our tent groups, laid down our tarp footprints, tested the ground for flatness, and then ran the poles through our mesh tent, attached the rainfly, and staked it out. Within minutes of staking down our tents the rain began to fall. Although it was loud inside of our tents as the rain showered down, it was a short storm, one that washed the landscape and provided perfect lighting to accentuate the landscape and the waterscape. The rains also gave our group a new energy as we rallied to get out into the water. Some of us assembled fishing poles and searched until we found the perfect fishing hole while others opted to take a dip in the lake. The cold water was refreshing and rejuvenating. We were all happy to call this place home for the night, our most stunning campsite yet!
