Day 3- Rae Lakes and Sixty Lake Basin

9/24/14  We arrived at Rae Lakes early on the third day, setup camp, and then took a side trip to Sixty Lake Basin. A great way to extend the trip and add about 5 miles and 1,500' of gain.
DSC00908 First sun on Fin Dome. We woke up to 38 degree temps inside the tent. It was probably low 30s outside and the tent had frost and fully frozen ice droplets on...
First sun on Fin Dome. We woke up to 38 degree temps inside the tent. It was probably low 30s outside and the tent had frost and fully frozen ice droplets on…
DSC00912 Morning sun on Arrowhead Lake.
Morning sun on Arrowhead Lake.
DSC00913 A little too much breeze for a perfect mirror, but still pretty close.
A little too much breeze for a perfect mirror, but still pretty close.
DSC00918 One last look at Arrowhead Lake from our breakfast spot, then we break down camp and head out. It's another perfect, cloudless day. The temperature easily rose...
One last look at Arrowhead Lake from our breakfast spot, then we break down camp and head out. It's another perfect, cloudless day. The temperature easily rose…
DSC00919 Looking back at Arrowhead Lake as the trail continues up the canyon. We did not see a single human at the lake the entire time we were there yesterday and this...
Looking back at Arrowhead Lake as the trail continues up the canyon. We did not see a single human at the lake the entire time we were there yesterday and this…
DSC00920 Great views of Fin Dome throughout the morning.
Great views of Fin Dome throughout the morning.
DSC00925 The next lake along the trail, this one unnamed.
The next lake along the trail, this one unnamed.
DSC00930 Our first marmot sighting.
Our first marmot sighting.
DSC00931 Walking along the Eastern edge of the lake.
Walking along the Eastern edge of the lake.
DSC00933 The lake at the base of Fin Dome. The peak is almost 1,200' above the lake.
The lake at the base of Fin Dome. The peak is almost 1,200' above the lake.
MAH00940 Dustin skipping stones on the lake. Turns out he is quite the stone skipper. Here he gets in four hops. For best performance, you can view the video on YouTube...
Dustin skipping stones on the lake. Turns out he is quite the stone skipper. Here he gets in four hops. For best performance, you can view the video on YouTube…
DSC00943 Great lake views everywhere.
Great lake views everywhere.
DSC00947 First of the Rae Lakes. The larger, Northern lake. Just off the trail, you can get to a cliff hanging right above the lake for a gorgeous view.
First of the Rae Lakes. The larger, Northern lake. Just off the trail, you can get to a cliff hanging right above the lake for a gorgeous view.
DSC00952 We sat for a while and enjoyed the view.
We sat for a while and enjoyed the view.
DSC00949 Panorama of Rae Lake.
Panorama of Rae Lake.
DSC00958 Hiking down to lake level along the Eastern shore.
Hiking down to lake level along the Eastern shore.
DSC00961 Looking back along the lake at Fin Dome, now well behind us after having watched it get slowly closer for the last day.
Looking back along the lake at Fin Dome, now well behind us after having watched it get slowly closer for the last day.
DSC00963 Approaching the second half of the Rae Lakes, the smaller, Southern lake. The trail walks across the isthmus between the two halves of the lake.
Approaching the second half of the Rae Lakes, the smaller, Southern lake. The trail walks across the isthmus between the two halves of the lake.
DSC00973 There are awesome little islands in the lake.
There are awesome little islands in the lake.
DSC00976 The islands defintiely make this one of my favorite alpine lakes.
The islands defintiely make this one of my favorite alpine lakes.