The summer of 2001 filled our lives with adventure and excitement.  

          (Blue Lake, Nevada)  Our first backpacking adventure was to beautiful Blue Lake located atop the Pine Forest Range in Northwestern Nevada.  It took us almost 3 1/2 hours to drive to the parking lot at the trail head.  With another 1/3 mile hike, which could be rated as moderately steep with our overloaded packs, we found ourselves staring at a clear lake nestled beneath towering mountain tops.  Blue Lake is the only lake in Nevada that I'm aware that the native Tiger Trout reproduces naturally.  Other species include Rainbow and Spotted trout.  There is limited camping space along the north and east side of the lake with unlimited fishing from truck sized boulders.   A camping trip to Blue Lake in early July could easily have cold rain and snow showers developed as this lake is definitely at the top of the mountain range.        

Followed by the next day when we escaped heavy downpour of rain.  This picture was taken from farther down the mountain, looking back up from where we had been.