We start with a guided bird walk.  The path is around the very same lake we strolled yesterday but with a bit of help we spy three new birds: Hermit warbler, White Headed Woodpecker, and a MacGillivray’s Warbler, plus we see a total of three bufflehead families.  An eagle made another showing but not so regal this time.  He was being chased off by a lone, tiny (but obviously brazen) black bird.  Kent got some nice reflection pics. 

It is still early so we take off on the Chaos Crags Trail.  We start along a creek winding through pine forest climbing ever higher.  We pass by boulders scattered among the trees left behind by retreating glaciers or spewed forth from thundering volcanoes.  This is rugged territory still scared by the long-ago eruptions.  Our destination is Crags Lake perched among the volcanic rubble at about 7000 feet.  The pine scented air is cool and the sun blazes down in the forest meadows.  It is a perfect day for a walk. 

We break out into the open with views of the crags and rocky slopes and the tree encircled, emerald green lake nestled in a low spot before us.  Lovely.

The unique terrain is the highlight of the walk but some wildlife makes a showing.  We spot a deer and a handful of the usual wood warblers plus the entertaining, noisy Clark’ s Nutcracker.