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Four years ago mmcpheet and I discovered a natural snowmelt pool in the Crystal Range we dubbed the Fountain of Youth. It's a near perfect set-up for pond skimming and has become an annual tradition over the last few years. This year the trip landed on my 39th birthday so I tried to make a party of it. Surprisingly the only people I could convince to come were my 16 year old and his friends.

Their passion to go shred something in August was awesome to see and was contagious. We had a blast and I know they'll never forget it. Here's our pics.

Skyler and his friends Spencer and Tate


At the boundary


Trail flowers




Lake Aloha






Full moon rising


Working our way around the lake


The color was amazing


Even the teenagers were stoked


The range


Sunrise the next morning


The kids slept in hammocks and cuddled


Dad's camp


Breakfast....pancakes and bacon




Off to the pond


Once we made our way around the lake we started heading up


And up


Looking down to Aloha


Almost there


The sacred Fountain of Youth


Snack time, Sky and Tate


Time for Dad to show the whipper snappers what's up




Sky gives it a go....


but checked his speed on the run-in and loses his speed


Soaking wet he tries again throwing a stylie spray....


but releases too much energy and loses his speed again




haha




Now thoroughly pissed (and soaked) he gets back to the basics and warms up on the small section


Spencer nails it first try


Tate too but loses his hat


Sky to the rescue






Spence steps up to the middle section


Dad back for more




Spence


Sky gets his groove back and gets the middle


Doubles


Tate


Follow cam with Spence


Triples round one


Triples round two Tate loses focus at the end


Woohoo....I think they liked it


Time to ride down


Sky killin' it








Looking back




Back to camp across the glorious granite


Complete with boulders


pools


and flowers


Skyler


Almost home


The teens feeling accomplished


Moonrise


The full moon and the light colored granite are a perfect match








Morning, backcountry bunk bed


Time to go home




But not before some airs at Lake of the Woods, Dad


Sky and Spence


Dad




Spence


Back on the trail


And a few miles later we're back on the boat taxi....Mission Accomplished!


Thanks Sky, Spencer, and Tate. You guys are gonna be a strong crew!

Happy birthday man, looks like it was a blast! Really wish I coulda made it. Next time for yer big 4-0 (Fountain of Youth water will be especially handy then! ).

Can't believe you packed in a skate deck just for that rock jump. Classic.

After a long winter of trip reports, they all bleed into one but this one looks absolutely killer. Definitely try to get a crew again next summer; I'm in!

Another vote for Father of the year! Oh yeah Uncle of the year too!

May have to rally for the big 4-0...what a great experience for the kids

Happy Birthday! When you go again, I'd love to go! Just PM me.

Happy Birthday! Rockin' pictures as always. I'm going for the big 4-0 next year too in August, funny I don't remember getting old, LOL

Awesome birthday trip----nicely done!!!

Thanks for this TR!!! Absolutely gorgeous and very inspirational! I have a 9 yr old son and a dream that goes something like that...

Plus one.
What's with the facial hair on Tater? I'm almost 40 and can barely grow a mini-Selleck.
Crazy burger hormones.

Thanks for the pic Dave! Always wondered what it looked like this time of year. Looks a little boney but still doable in a couple spots.

My first look at this TR..FUN!!!