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I don't think US Grant is a very popular climb in the San Juans since it is not a 14er or a Centennial, but I think it ranks right up there with some of the best in terms of the view, the challenge, and the experience.
As always, you can view the trip report over on my website. Hope it is useful if you're ever near Ice Lake Basin or Island Lake. It really is one of the more interesting climbs I've done. There's about 40 or so photos in the full trip report and a link to a GPS / GPX file.
Milky Way Reflections
Views of the San Miguels
Pilot Knob and friends
Island Lake at sunset
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
the BEST photos!!! I was there about a week after you and had the most heinous weather. I was only able to snag V2. But still...the camp alone at Island Lake was amazing (minus the 4 electrical storms I endured).
Man, I could not imagine being at that lake in a thunderstorm - it would make me want to be much much lower in the trees. Thanks for your comment / feedback :-)
I actually found a cave to hide in during the storms. It was definitely very scary but manageable. Like a pool when you here thunder, everyone gets out. I heard thunder and ran to the cave.
Where was the cave? That's kind of a crazy story, would love to read more about it in a trip report haha! My scariest lightning camping was above Lake Como above tree-line. I'm surprised more people don't die to lightning, to be honest.
There were actually two caves. One was under US Grant and the other was right near that shallow pond where you took the night photos. I could see exactly where the weather was coming from, so I was sure to locate a place where I could wait it out that was free of metal poles. I actually felt quite safe inside but the storms were the real deal. At one point I could see where the lightning was striking it was that close.
I love that area and US Grant is still in my informal "13ers Top 20ish"list. Once again, you've captured a beautiful place in stunning photos. I might just stop taking my own pictures and just buy yours. But how did you not know about that headwall? Do some homework.
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But how did you not know about that headwall? Do some homework.