Backpacking on Elliot Ridge in Eagles Nest Wilderness

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I hiked for 3 days into the deep backcountry with two friends. I was apprehensive beforehand, as it was my first time out in a while. Fortunately, the weather was good, my friends were encouraging, our route-finding skills successful (we were off trail much of the time). The route was just north of our cabin, in wild wild country in Eagles Nest Wilderness.The entire time in the Wilderness, I saw only 2 other people, about a half mile away. 13 images 1. My pack weighed in at 19 pounds 2. It was a 7 mile hike on top of, and then skirting the snowfields below Elliot Ridge 2a. The peak is Mt. Powell, highest in the range 3. Mike and Frances, vastly experienced mountaineers and my colleagues at Eagle Summit Wilderness Alliance. 3a. Peak C on the left, peeking over Game Pass 4. Our destination was down in the valley 5. Our campsite at Climbers' Lake 6. Next morning - the view from our campsite. We saw some nice trout in the lake. 7. Taking a break as we moved on to the second campsite, at an unnamed lake. We were off trail much of the day, trying to find the lake. 8. In the end, it turned out that we walked right to it - not a little luck 9. sunset 10. Next morning 11. The flowers were profuse. These are elephant flowers. 12. These are mountain paintbrush (until recently Indian paintbrush) 13.