North Fork of the Big Wood Trailhead parking lot.
Crossing the North Fork of the Big Wood just beyond the parking lot can be treacherous during spring and early summer runoff.
An overlook near the trail about 1.5 miles out the West Fork of the North Fork Canyon.
The last open meadow above the second falls eventually pinches closed into the densly forested canyon above.
The view into the upper West Fork of the North Fork Basin from 8,600 feet.
The route to Window Lake is a moderate off-trail climb up the south side of the West Fork of the North Fork Canyon. There are some great views early in the climb.
The cascading creek that drains Window Lake provides a "handrail" for hikers who follow the blunt ridge on the right side of the creek as you ascend.
June wildflowers accent slivers of snow-filled couloirs.
About mid-way up the climb, hikers will scramble through a broken cliffband leading to the lake.
The Window Lake outlet flows due north and can remain snow covered into mid summer.
Window Lake and the outlet creek.
Marsh marigold (Caltha leptosepala).
The high alpine shoreline of Window Lake (10,022 feet).
There are beautiful views down the West Fork of the North Fork Canyon from the edge of the Window Lake Basin.
Descending back to the valley floor of the West Fork of the North Fork Canyon.
Walking back to the trailhead through some of the open meadows along the West Fork of the North Fork Canyon.