We started our mountains hiking from Bear Lake, not far from the park entrance, where is at an altitude nearly 3000 meters high.  My son gave each one of a pair of hiking sticks to help us trudge the rocky, winding trails of two miles, pass the second lake, Dream Lake, and finally we got to the destination, Emerald Lake.  

All the three lakes are clean, tranquil, fairyland-like, and surrounded by Huyang Trees which have already been turning yellow, amongst other still green plants.  The trail carried us, breathless with wonder and altitude, towards a fragile alpine realm, the tundra(涷原).  According to the guidelines pamphlet, most animals hibernate or migrate during the long, harsh winters, and no trees can live here.

No sooner had we arrived at Emerald Lake, than we doubled back, for my son predicted there would be climate change. (He takes part in outdoor activities often, so he knows it well.). We rushed, but you know, going downward is more dangerous than climbing upward.  Thanks to my son, his sticks did a lot of help to us, a 75-years-old couple.  Luckily, when we got to the parking area, a storm came.

When we drove back, somewhere in the valley we saw a large flock of elks browsing leisurely on an already parched grassland.  What an amazing scene it was.  (FYI, the scene caused a heavy congestion.)