From left: 

Bob, me, Dan, Seth, and Elisha.  Elisha is a freshman in high school, and Bob and Seth are juniors. 

We hiked five miles from the new parking lot at the Norris Trailhead of the Ansel Adams Wilderness to Jackass Lake.  This hike was Dan's brainstorm, and the teens seemed to enjoy themselves.  I know that I sure did, and Tawny reveled in the beauty of the new surroundings.

Even so late in the season the water was colder than the youth wanted to brave.  I also chickened out, but Tawny has never yet refused an opportunity to swim a bit.  She made it a very short swim, though. Jackass Lake has always been colder than other mountain lakes, because it is such a very deep lake.

My favorite part of the Jackass trail is the sights that can be enjoyed once you get to the rock wall that creates the lake.  The mountains in the distance are the Great Western Divide.  Though I have crossed that divide further south a couple of times, some day I still hope to cross this portion of that range.

This was my first hike since my surgery last October.  It was also Tawny's first hike ever.  We both did well on the hike.  I am well pleased that I managed the five miles with no large problems, though my foot was quite sore for the following days.  After returning home, Tawny rested for only about an hour and then seemed to have all her energy restored.  That is the only time I have ever seen Tawny tired.