We had a nice fire during dinner last night. Another traumatic experience for me, though. Kaylee had finished the first part of the book I had given her, so it went into the fire - yikes! My poor heart! Even with dinner, dessert, tea and a fire, I was still in the tent before 8PM. It was another cool night. Temperature was about 6C in the tent this morning. I woke up about 5:30 and had to don rain pants and a toque until it was time to start hiking. The sky was clear and light was hitting the mountain tops, but nothing yet in our little valley. We left camp about 7:30 and headed uphill immediately - about 700 feet up. It was in the trees for most of it, so it was nice and cool - always good for hiking uphill.
For about the next 500 feet of vertical, the trail became a gentle uphill through open meadow-like terrain and past a few little tarns.
We stopped for a break at Lake Marjorie before taking on the final climb of about 800 feet.
The final climb to Pinchot Pass was so much nicer/easier than yesterday's route to Mather Pass. Not nearly as rocky and without the big glute-activating steps. Some nice views down to a number of lakes and lots of beautifully coloured mountains - a nice change from the standard grey granite. Lots of traffic on the trail today.
Kaylee and J forming the welcoming committee at the top of the pass.
Stuff grows up here?? I believe this might be "shrubby cinquefoil", a member of the rose family.
The obligatory group shot at the top.
Looking over to the other side of the pass. Lovely mountains and tarns. Elevation at the top of the pass is 12,050'.
We were up on top by about 10:30 and didn't leave until shortly after 11. Nice to be rewarded for the uphill work by a nice long break at the top. We started the downhill with a series of steep switchbacks which then became a more gently rolling downhill. I loved the way the trail meandered its way along.......... Apologies for having so many pictures, but I love them all and have a hard time choosing. You may find it hard to believe that lots didn't make the cut.
Can you spot the folks still coming down the switchbacks?
Apparently this (next 3 pics) is the setting for a very famous Ansel Adams photo..........
We're staying at Twin Lakes tonight, which is right at the foot of Mount Cedric Wright (below). We had a late lunch when we got here and still had lots of time for washing, laundry, swimming, etc. Alex (the Professor) took his air mattress out for a spin and it held him up surprisingly well.
This picture of Twin Lakes is from someone else in the group (probably Smokey), but was so pretty that I have to share it.
Stats for the day: about 8 miles, 3040 feet up, 2500 feet down. Elevation at camp is about 10,500'.
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