Hike to the Tarn off Pedley Pass

 A tarn is a mountain lake. I didn't know that until we did this hike. We returned to Pedley Pass with Elizabeth, Geordie and Hart. The hike starts up toward the pass through the bumpy and meadow and then, just before the last hike up to the pass, a fork in the path turns south toward the tarn. This was the path taken by us. The sky was not smokey as it been on our previous visit to the area.

We let the dogs run almost as soon as we left the parking lot. Pippa and Finian were good up until the Bumpy Meadow when they began hearing the peep of marmots. These got progressively worse as we neared the tarn. Trees became more scarce and the spaces between clumps were covered with wildflowers, particularly fireweed which grew in abundance. The drone of honey bees was constant which reminded me of the fireweed honey we had back home. 

Bumpy Meadow

Fireweed with mountains in the distance

The plan was to swim in the tarn. Pippa chased a marmot up the mountainside and by the time I'd retrieved her, Geordie had already been for a swim. A father and son were there when we arrived. Their plan was to stay the night so that they could watch the predicted meteor shower. I saw a couple of sleeping mats but no tent. The son was busy searching for fossils and Geordie joined them. He did find a couple of fairly large stones with remnants of something in them. 

Liz going for a “refreshing swim.”

Pippa with fossil hunting area behind.

While he was doing that, Nicola, Elizabeth and I went for a swim. The bottom was muddy with the occasional large stone which made walking difficult. I tried to enter slowly but fell into knee deep water. It was not warm. Hart did not get in. 

Elizabeth and Geordie with dots. 

We contemplated walking up to the pass but the young people felt the walk to the tarn was sufficient exercise for the day.