Project-JK Blue Lakes Summertime Snow Wheeling 2011
 

Before our friend mituk and his kids had to leave Tahoe, we decided to get one more easy run in just to see the sights, soak up the warm sun and relax along the shores of the Lost Lakes. But, as luck would have it, the weather started to cool off again and deep snow drifts still blocked the trail all along the Lower and Upper Blue Lakes. In fact, we would find that nobody had been beyond the Lower Blue Lakes to date. But, rather than turning back, we decided to use this opportunity to have some fun. Here are a few pics from our trip.

When we got to the Lower Blue Lakes Campground, there was a stock Toyota pick-up who had gotten stuck about 2 feet into the white stuff. After digging themselves out, they got out of our way and watched us roll on through...
http://project-jk.com/gallery2/main...._itemId=252069

The further in we got, the more white stuff we started to see and the deeper it got...
http://project-jk.com/gallery2/main...._itemId=252083

http://project-jk.com/gallery2/main...._itemId=252113

http://project-jk.com/gallery2/main...._itemId=252117

http://project-jk.com/gallery2/main...._itemId=252111

http://project-jk.com/gallery2/main...._itemId=252153

Every now and then, there would be a clearing from runoff but the back side of the drifts were steep here and quite exciting to get down off of them...
http://project-jk.com/gallery2/main...._itemId=252089

http://project-jk.com/gallery2/main...._itemId=252151

Thanks to the icy snow in the shade and slush in the sun, getting through this stuff proved to be a real challenge and a little help was needed her to get mituk rolling again...
http://project-jk.com/gallery2/main...._itemId=252123

Thanks to all the off camber drifts, we spent a lot of time trying not to slide into trees...
http://project-jk.com/gallery2/main...._itemId=252147

After working our way through Middle Creek, we arrived at the peaceful and quite shores of the Upper Blue Lakes. As you can see from the marker in the water, it was as full as it gets too...
http://project-jk.com/gallery2/main...._itemId=252171

Group shot of our JK's...
http://project-jk.com/gallery2/main...._itemId=252173

http://project-jk.com/gallery2/main...._itemId=252179

After some lunch, we decided to push forward and see if we can reach the Lost Lakes...
http://project-jk.com/gallery2/main...._itemId=252201

http://project-jk.com/gallery2/main...._itemId=252209

http://project-jk.com/gallery2/main...._itemId=252211

Navigating your way across the snow drifts was made difficult by large holes radiating from trees and just begging you to fall in...
http://project-jk.com/gallery2/main...._itemId=252205

Climbing up the shelf road to the Lost Lakes, we got about 500 feet from the turn off when we encounted this - An enormous 20 foot snow drift with a steep enough angle making it near impossible to traverse safely...
http://project-jk.com/gallery2/main...._itemId=252219

http://project-jk.com/gallery2/main...._itemId=252217

So, we decided to hike the rest of the way there and, this is what it looked like...
http://project-jk.com/gallery2/main...._itemId=252231

http://project-jk.com/gallery2/main...._itemId=252227

http://project-jk.com/gallery2/main...._itemId=252237

http://project-jk.com/gallery2/main...._itemId=252235

mituk's daughter Mariana braved the fridgid waters to take this shot...
http://project-jk.com/gallery2/main...._itemId=252243

Walking around the lake, we found icebergs breaking off - remember, this is the middle of July...
http://project-jk.com/gallery2/main...._itemId=252247

http://project-jk.com/gallery2/main...._itemId=252251

For fun, the kids decide to make a summertime snowman...
http://project-jk.com/gallery2/main...._itemId=252257

Heading back, the clouds rolled in and it got cool enough to start freezing the snow making it icy and a lot harder to get any traction...
http://project-jk.com/gallery2/main...._itemId=252261

http://project-jk.com/gallery2/main...._itemId=252273

But, we managed to work our way out with only one fender hit to a tree by brainchild and one use of the winch by mituk...
http://project-jk.com/gallery2/main...._itemId=252271

If there's one thing I will always remember about the summer of 2011, it'll be all the snow, snow and more snow we got to play in :crazyeyes:

To see all the pics we took, simply click on the link below:

Project-JK Blue Lakes Summertime Snow Wheeling Photo Gallery

Great shots Eddie.. :beer: Thaw this year is definitely few weeks behind.

in all the years we've been coming to tahoe, this is the first time we've seen it like this - it was crazy

Looks like you guys had fun! Great pictures as always:thumbsup:

The action shots from this run will make GREAT VIDEO! Looking forward to it! :thumbsup:

The scenery just gives me chills! Simply beautiful.

that looked like fun

amazing pictures eddie!!!! that amazing to see that much snow, and icebergs in july!!!! never around here!!! simply amazing for sure!!!! thanks for sharing.

Man, you guys have all the fun! We could use some of the snow out here on the East coast. Makes me wish I was still in the area.

great pics... love all that snow and the BLUE skies !!! :thumbsup: