Roper does not mince words in his descriptions of the challenges on the High Route. So, we knew that the descent to Marion Lake was going to be interesting. At first view the lake seems to be nestled below a sheer drop off.

100 Sierra Club members from the Bay Area made the descent with pack animals for an outing in the 1930s!

The lake is named for Helen Marion LeConte who loved the spot with its deep waters and ring of surrounding peaks. She was an absolute bad ass adventurer whose achievements in this area in the 1900s gave me strength and courage to get through the toughest moments in the past days.