Aug 20 - Germania Pass (LCC)

Sunny day with highs in the mid-90s. Took the day off to head to Cecret Lake and Germania Pass. It's my first time this year! Hoping for butterflies up high. Fingers crossed.

I arrive around 7:30 and surprised that the booth was open. Good thing as I don't have to fill out an envelope.

I head directly to the Cecret Lake parking lot and surprised there are only a couple of car there - schools back in session!!

I gear up and start up the trail.

Still a fair amount of flowers down low - Asters, Paintbrush, Lupine, Brown Headed Coneflowers, lots of yellow flowers, etc. Looks pretty in the shade.

Get my first glimpse of Devils Castle of the day.

And then it's time to get up the switchbacks to the lake. Lots of flowers along the slopes.

When I arrive at the Lake there is a group of folks on the other side but no one else.

The lake is impressively high despite a very hot and dry summer. Granted we've had some pretty big storms lately but it's still very high.

I stop for a little bit before hitting the ski cat road and starting up to the Pass. There are flowers in spots on the uphill.

I was hoping for a quiet day but they are working on the Sugarloaf Lift and there up pickup trucks, ATV, big trucks heading up and down the road. But it's still a pretty walk.

The trail somewhat flattens to beautiful scenery of Bald Mt, Sugarloaf Peak, etc.

Scanning for moose or deer but nothing.

I see some Pink Monkeyflower on the other side of a drainage.

Soon I'm at the life and I have to take a peak down LCC. Awesome!

I do see a very badly beaten Frit near the lift. Actually the only one of the day.

I continue up to the Pass and I don't think there's going to be much butterfly activity as there are very few flowers. I see a decent size patch of Lupine up high but mostly no bloomers.

I do see a little Blue - but no photos suck!

As I continue, I do see 5-6 White butterflies. Some are Parnassians just not stopping.

I do see a couple of Marmot and Pika.

The view down is awesome!

I reach the Pass and head over to the lift for a break. Absolutely love this view!!

Time to move on. Before starting the steeper downhill, I take a trail that overlooks Cecret Lake. Nice!

There's only a few people down there.

And for some reason, I decide to head down the cliffs. It would be safer to head down the road but I'm feeling good today :)

Back at the lake and it's time to head down. This is where my day turns backwards. Somewhere on the 1st switchback, I either trip, slip, ?? and fall forward catching my left knee on a rock and landing on my right hand. Ouch!

The folks in front of me, turn and ask if I'm OK. My response was give me a minute -- got to work thru the pain.  Of course, when they arrive, I get nervous and nauseous and he makes be lay down. I got what looks like a deep gash in my knee (not bleeding yet). They are deciding whether to call rescue or just Alta to come bandage me up but I'm fine and keep saying that. Soon I sit up, move my knee and at that point they seem to drop the rescue. But my knee is now bleeding and no one has bandage. But I have paper towel and my hiking pant legs which is tied around me knee. 

I stand up, say Thanks to the 3 guys as they continue up the hill. The initial 2 people escort me down letting me use the one hiking stick they have. I really don't need it. My knee does not hurt, my right hand does because it has a hematoma. They all make me promise to go to Urgent Care. I promise.

The guy even states for a person that's hurt you moving. I'm fine!

At one point, there is a car to a private cabin and the guy asks if the ladies can give me a ride down to my car. They say yes!! They are amazed at how calm I am. I'm fine!

I thank the couple and proceed with the ladies down to my car. Actually the bathroom as I want to change my wet shirt.

Then it's down from Alta. Thankfully, I have a clear shot (no one in from - other down part of the Summer Road before the people let me by) all the way to I-215.  Thanks God!

I do stop at home for some water/granola bar and to change my shorts. It's been over 2 hours a few more minutes won't matter.

I get taken by Urgent Care pretty much immediately. Knee is mostly stopped. They take Xrays of my hand - negative. PA says the cut is not deep but stitches will help it heal faster so I got 4.

Definitely not the day I was expecting to have but it was great until the fall. But here's to the amazing folks I met and that helped me today. There's still good in this world. Not just 2 people helped me, not 4 but 7 people took the time to help. Thanks!!!