I started my day very early this morning - waking at 2:15am and driving to the trailhead. I donned my pack and headlamp and left the trailhead just before 4:00am, headed for Lion Lake #1, approximately 6.5 miles into the beautiful Wild Basin area of Rocky Mountain National Park. This is a strenuous hike, and the trail was very wet with snowmelt and remnants of previous day's rains, so I was pleased with my pace. I arrived at the lake shortly before 7:00am - too late for sunrise, but the light was still pretty nice as it worked its way across Mount Alice and down the hillside to the various ponds and lakes. Storm clouds began brewing very early this morning and I watched them pour over the ridges as I grabbed a quick snack. This was mostly a scouting trip (I plan to return later in the summer), so I didn't spend too much time at the lake though the incredible beauty beckoned me to explore for hours.

Here's a shot of Mount Alice before it was enveloped in clouds...