The road follows the valley of the Toad River, a wide, rocky and somewhat desolate area, softened only by the pale green river. The vista widens ahead and more mountains come into view, many of them snow-capped. Muncho Lake, a magnificent aquamarine colour, mirrors the surrounding mountains that tower over 2,000m. The road crosses a high valley between two mountain ranges, cutting through alluvial fans of eroded material washed down from the peaks.