Just to follow up. I completed the trip last week. It was a great trip with the following observations and a few detours off the previously mentioned route:
Instead of going up to the large CCP Lake first, I followed the trail leading toward Knapp Lakes up to the saddle. Circled the mountain dropped down and then over and up to the Easternmost (long) Knapp lake. The backdrop was beautiful (I'd attach a picture but on the work computer) however the lake and all associated Knapp lakes were devoid of fish. Next morning hiked to the saddle South of the lake (like we had first discussed) and climed to the summit above Crimson and associated lakes. This route looks a bit hairy standing below it, however there is actually a very workable goat trail leading to the summit. The summit there is very nice offering great views and about a 2 acre flat spot. If one were so inclined this would make a nice stopping spot for lunch or to just take in the view. The spine to leading over to Tango is good for awhile. Then breaks up some. I think it is easily doable, however I had whiny buddy with me with an even whiney'er dog. So we dropped down into Crimson. I then took a different route following the trail leading out of crimson about 1/2 mile then climed to the ridge seperating the Tango drainage. I would not reccommend this method especially with a pack. It was very loose rock, steep and on all fours for most of it. I then dropped down into Tango drainage stopping at the 3 southermost lakes. I didn't see any fish! None rising or swimming I was very dissapointed but these lakes were stunning. The largest round one of the group was really breathtaking offering great views of the drainage. The lake itself is deep blue, deep and..well, big.
After discovering there was no fish (I have no idea what is going on with the fish situation up there as these lakes are clearly not overfished and all showed stocking in 2006. Crimson and it's higher southern lake are the only lakes I saw fish in) I found a better route out up large boulders on the very southwestern edge of the basin leading to the ridge directly above the highest lakes (ponds) in the Crimson group. There is a much better route down from here leading south-southeast following flatter ground, good footing, and cover. This would be the best route to take in or out of Tango Lakes from the Crimson Lake area.
We hiked out back up over Crimson and dropped down to the large CCP Lake. Also a nice lake, but no fish that I saw. Nice views of CCP and I did see the big hole in the rock. Very cool. Then down and out the drainage back to the road.
I was suprised to find a few fire rings above the Tango Lakes in odd spots. The area appeared to be clean, pristine, and with very little human presence other than the rings. I would return, but I would like to know what in the world is going on with the fish. Food? Bad Freeze? I don't know. Overall a good trip, lots of bugs! It was Alaskan style mosquitos in some spots... but I'm sure that is just due to the late spring and abundant moisture. With good comes the bad I suppose.
Cheers,
Rian
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