Retezat Mountains: End Of September At The Bucura Lake

It's been cold this week, the first snow has fallen in the mountains. This has raised my interest and I thought a few days hiking in the Retezat mountains would be a good idea. Bucura Lake is a good place to pitch a tent at, as the weather was getting warm. I started Saturday morning and arrived at the lake with my rucksack till evening.

I was able to enjoy the snowy scene next day:

The Ana Lake:

At the Porții Lake (Tăul Porții):

The rain has started, so the snow was melting rapidly:

It rained many times so on the third day there wasn't much snow left:

Retezat Mountains: Four Days At Bucura Lake

I planned to spend a few days at Bucura Lake in Retezat mountains long ago. The lake can be reached best from Poiana Pelegii where one can go by car on a bad but viable forest road. After spending the first night in the car, on next morning I started my way up to the lake with a big backpack. This short trip with the heavy burden it's enough for today. The next day I climb up to the Peleaga peak (2509 m). From there the Bucura Lake and its surroundings look like this:

I didn't climb alone:

The next day I can photograph the lakes from the other side, from the Judele saddle:

In spite of the high altitude it's warm. At least for two days. Then comes a night thunderstorm and the next morning the lake becomes smooth:

In the valley clouds are still gathering, ...:

... then the wind's getting strong. Some rain starts to fall as well.

However by the afternoon the clouds roll away:

The remains of clouds become colorful by sunset:

On the last day I go and see how the Bucura-valley looks like from the "Little Retezat" side: