Mt Defiance,  Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area,  July 6, 2013     page 6 / 15

There were plenty of campsites near the lake, and plenty of trails around the lake. Somehow we ended up following a muddy (and incorrect) path toward Little Mason Lake. As the trail became more faint, we realized our error and checked the map and GPS. A hundred yards of cross country travel put us back on the desired path up the hill. And, boy did it go up! We gained about 1000 feet over the next mile, passing through more forest, a short boulder field and another beautiful meadow. And with the elevation came more interesting views.