This was my last backpack of the summer and the first big outing since my motorcycle accident in August. Doelle Lakes are about 11 miles from the Stevens Pass parking lot so I figured on a relatively easy day. The temps were much colder than anticipated with several inches of new snow on the ground but it felt great to be out hiking with weight on my back and the sun on my face. The day was going beautifully until I found that I'd missed the Icicle Creek trail and descended about 1000 feet and several miles to Mig Lake - now I was running behind to make it to Chain Lakes. I put the camera away and tried to make up time. I finally got to Chain Lakes about 5:30, with the sun nearing the peaks and totally exhausted from the 2500' climb up from Icicle Creek. As I scouted for a place to camp, I realized that the morning sun would come much earlier on the other side of Bull's Tooth down at Doelle Lake. With the last of my energy, I hiked another 800 feet over the top and down to the lake. I pitched my tarp and crawled into the sleeping bag to warm numb fingers. After filling my stomach, I fell sound asleep and slept all 12 hours afforded by the long fall night. The next day dawned glorious and cold, the excitement of waiting photo ops pulling me out of the bag and down the trail...