Roughly 15 miles out and back through a valley appropriately named “Oh Be Joyful” lead us to questionably one of the most breathtaking alpine lakes. A single track, well-defined trail winds through fields of free range cattle, willow brush, and decomposing skunk cabbage. The valley is wide but eventually feels dome-like as you near the lake. Mountains seem to kiss the sky, a sky that felt far away but within reach, all at once. The dry summer and arrival of fall left a layer of lingering, seasonal scent. Dried foliage crunched beneath our feet, while the rhythm of our legs…