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We began our descent around 4:30 pm MDT. Unfortunately, Nikki's knee was hurting her so we did not waste a lot of time getting down the mountain. It was a lesson that did not take me long to learn either. To quote my brother on hiking, "Bad on your lungs on the way up, and bad on your knees on the way down." The difference on the descent was that the views of the Mineral Creek valley and the San Juan Mountain Range were nearly continuous until we entered the forest. As we descended, I could not help feel somewhat disgusted that I had taken my fly-fishing gear on the hike and never used it. I could have at the Ice Lake, however, I was too busy exploring. I did not regret exploring, however, I was digusted at all the extra energy I had expended by hauling the extra weight with me. Oh well, live and learn! The descent took two hours, and I snapped some more shots of the scenery on the way down.
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Lower basin (foreground) and Mineral Creek valley (background) |
 The leaning rocks, where we ate lunch earlier |
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Colorado Blue Columbine, the state flower |
 I cross a stream in the lower basin |
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The Inmon brothers stroll through a field of skunk-weed |
 Mineral Creek snakes through the valley below |
 Michael and Nikki make their way down |
Applegates Indian Paintbrush |
 Evidence of an avalanche |
 One of the waterfalls, from above |
 A fallen tree over a bridge on the trail |
 Michael, Bill, and Nikki cross the stream on logs |
 Me and Ravi |