Day 11, we took a side trip to Hatchet and Hidden Lakes, uphill from Steamboat almost 3 miles. The trout were rising to dry flies near the outlet stream, and the wildflowers were great. I looked for a colony of orchids that we saw a few years before, but this year things are blooming later, and I couldn't find them. A late lunch of cutthroat trout, a look at Hidden Lake, back down the hill to Steamboat Lk, pack the tents, and hike 2 miles to Lydle Lake for a light dinner.
Then into Paradise Basin just before dark for our last camp. Aptly named, the light in Paradise at sunset is ethereal. Day 12, up early for the 10 mile hike to Jim's car at the St. Lawrence basin trailhead. The weather was crystal clear, and we were at top of the 11100' pass by 10:15. Our last fabulous views of the Wind River mountains ... until next year, when we hope to return.
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