We've made a couple of day-hikes to Frying Pan Lakes, but this was my first time camping there. It was also my first time going on a solo backpack trip. Not sure why I've waited so long to try an overnight trip alone, but I had such a good time, that I'll do it again. Backpacking alone means carrying the stove, fuel, water filter, tent, etc. yourself. Nobody else with whom to share the load. So I looked to save weight where I could, and managed to get a fully-loaded pack at thirty-nine pounds (not including my camera).
My map shows a trail beyond the lakes, over the saddle to the west of Deer Mountain, where there's a couple more small lakes, but I wasn't able to follow it. About a half mile south of the upper lake, the trail became ambiguous, and eventually stopped at a seemingly impenetrable field of willows. I climbed a boulder field, hoping to find a way around (or through), but eventually returned to the upper lake to take more photos. Later in the day, a trio of hikers, who had started at a hairpin turn below Independence Pass, came over the saddle and down through the lakes. They reported that they just pushed through the willows. I guess I'll have to try that sometime.
To reach the trailhead for Frying Pan Lakes, drive east from Basalt about thirty-two miles to where the road makes a hairpin turn and begins climbing towards Hagerman Pass. On your right is an improved dirt road that leads to the trailheads for both this hike and Lily Pad Lake. The trailhead is at 10,000 feet, and the lakes are at 11,000 feet. The surrounding peaks and ridges are above 13,000 feet, making for a very dramatic - and photogenic - scene. Roughly halfway to the lakes, the trail crosses the river via a sturdy bridge. This is a great place to stop, drink some water, and take a few photos.
