50.11 Utah: Guardsman Pass: Clayton Peak via Bloods Lake, Lackawaxen Lake and some effort in the rear.
A view of Clayton Peak from quite a distance. Should you enjoy the autumn colors...a view as we climb above the saddle. I don't think I recall having a better day on the mountains, overlooking spectacular scenery which included lakes, other surrounding mountains, treacherous trails, reflections off water and the usual tough challenge of reaching the destination. In addition, from Clayton Peak, we could view some of the lakes we have visited on other hikes or viewed from different peaks. They included three lakes below Clayton plus Lackawaxen (where do they find the names?) but not Bloods which we passed on our way up and on the return. In the distance sat Twin, Silver and Mary Lakes. Also, we viewed the various peaks we have climbed during this period and of course, those we haven't...yet. Initially, we hiked out of the way to the above lake with the strange name before returning to climb Clayton. That was an error in directions but we're pleased it occurred. Why? ...