Approaching the talus slope
Approaching the head of the valley from the long northeast dogleg, I break out of the aspen and maple forest into open meadows interspersed with clusters of pine trees. There is a large talus slope that the trail traverses before entering a final series of switchbacks that climb to the upper lip of the valley. Then the trail passes south of Robert's Horn and winds back to Emerald Lake.
By now I'm sweating profusely. The air temperature is in the low 60s, but I'm working hard enough that the fleece shirt is clearly a mistake. I take off my hat and strap it onto the back of my pack. The brim was shading my eyes, but I want the light breeze to help cool me.
The young hikers I saw on the trail below catch me just as I'm entering the talus slope. They each smile, greet me and pass without breaking stride. They look like college friends; it's a mixed group split about evenly between men & women. They come in ones and twos for about 15 minutes. One cute young thing, hiking only in a jogging bra, silk boxers, and boots, examines me with humor and asks, "Aren't you a bit overdressed?" I smile and acknowledge the hit, then enjoy the enhanced view for a few minutes until she disappears into the trees ahead. Sort of reminds me of the "Utah highway beautification act" Steve & I proposed back when we first returned from our missions.