The past two times I've been to Alps Alturas, my eye has been drawn to some high grassy ridges just across the valley. This area is, I learned later, Dennis Basin and that was the little explore for Thursday.The access is up the Wilson Creek East FSR in the same direction as Alps Alturas, but turning off earlier and taking a surprisingly good trail up to the sub-alpine. There had been a frost during the night so bushes were icy and wet, but soon the meadows were reached where numerous options presented themselves in the form of several grassy ridges heading off in different directions. A bit late in the season for alpine flowers, but nice meadows.
Our wandering took us to one ridge with great views across the valley to Alps Alturas and a range of peaks with new snow dusting the higher elevations. The skies were blue and the air was clear so we were able to pick out peaks in all directions: mountains in the Valhalla Wilderness area, Kokanee Glacier, Idaho Peak, Carlyle, Texas Peak, Mt Reco, Brennan, Loki, Whitewater, London Ridge and many others. We then hiked up another steep hill to the highest point around for more views and a leisurely lunch before heading back down and to the trail home.
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