Abyss Lake 8-17-2013

Solo hike on August 17, 2013 to Abyss Lake from the Trail Head on Guanella Pass. Stepped off at 7:30 a.m. Reached the lake at 11:55 a.m. and arrived back at the TH at 3:35 p.m. The round trip was 17.1 miles and had a net elevation gain of 3,283 ft. This was a strenuous hike. There was lots of deadfall that obscured the trail between miles 5 and 6, and even some beyond. The willows around Unnamed Lake presented a navigation challenge, and the "trail" through yet more willows beyond it was a stream, as you'll see in the pictures. I saw only 4 other hikers all day who went all the way to Abyss, two sets of two guys. The first ones passed me at about the 5 mile point. When they passed me on their way down I was still about a half mile away from Lake Abyss. They told me about a bull and cow moose they saw not 100' to the right of the trail in a small lake beyond Unnamed Lake. I guess they either left the area before I got there, or I was too heads down to notice them. I'm glad I didn't see them. Moose can be very aggressive. I was better off not realizing they were near! A long but highly rewarding day in the Mt Evans Wilderness.