Went out for a 3day 2night, out and back trip to Hamilton Lakes in Sequoia National Park at the end of June. Finally have some free time to post pics.
The trail started with nice forest hiking, but uneventful for the first 11 miles. After that it opens up to great views of the high country and you start to gain elevation.
This bridge spanned an awesome gorge.
the old bridge, apparently wiped out by an avalanche
Was out of water for a couple miles and got to fill up at this lovely spot:
After a full 17 mile day, I changed and took a dip in the lake to wash the trail off.
The rangers warned me about the 'aggressive deer' at Hamilton Lakes. The animals are sodium deficient and love to steal clothes. Luckily it was my boxers, as I could do without those vs my socks. It wouldn't drop them when I gave chase, so I picked up the camera.
Hamilton Dome. Our basin stayed dry from the threatening weather, but we got to listen.
Another critter (marmot) looking for salt
Angel Wings - has same hard rock climbing on it. Beautiful formation, ~1800' tall
Trailside flowers
Trail-gineering. An old bridge was routinely taken out by rock fall and avalanche, so they blasted through the mountain instead. The area here and nearby is know as Valhalla along the High Sierra Trail.
Precipice Lake. Photographed by Ansel Adams in 1932 also.
Looking down the Big Arroyo from Kaweah Gap
View from atop Eagle Scout Peak. If you look hard you can see the trail switchbacking up. Long day-hike to tag that from the lake.
It was the hottest weather of the year, so I woke up at 5am to hit the trail home and beat the heat and make good time. Sunrise about an hour down the hill looking back.
~46 miles in ~52 hours. A bit much as I had a good 5 blisters by the end. By the last 1/3 of each day, I thought "this can't end soon enough". I survived, but would prefer shorter days next time!
Photos with my Oly E-PL1 & kit lens. Which I'm currently selling, actually. Going simpler/smaller (maybe LX7?).
The trail started with nice forest hiking, but uneventful for the first 11 miles. After that it opens up to great views of the high country and you start to gain elevation.
This bridge spanned an awesome gorge.
the old bridge, apparently wiped out by an avalanche
Was out of water for a couple miles and got to fill up at this lovely spot:
After a full 17 mile day, I changed and took a dip in the lake to wash the trail off.
The rangers warned me about the 'aggressive deer' at Hamilton Lakes. The animals are sodium deficient and love to steal clothes. Luckily it was my boxers, as I could do without those vs my socks. It wouldn't drop them when I gave chase, so I picked up the camera.
Hamilton Dome. Our basin stayed dry from the threatening weather, but we got to listen.
Another critter (marmot) looking for salt
Angel Wings - has same hard rock climbing on it. Beautiful formation, ~1800' tall
Trailside flowers
Trail-gineering. An old bridge was routinely taken out by rock fall and avalanche, so they blasted through the mountain instead. The area here and nearby is know as Valhalla along the High Sierra Trail.
Precipice Lake. Photographed by Ansel Adams in 1932 also.
Looking down the Big Arroyo from Kaweah Gap
View from atop Eagle Scout Peak. If you look hard you can see the trail switchbacking up. Long day-hike to tag that from the lake.
It was the hottest weather of the year, so I woke up at 5am to hit the trail home and beat the heat and make good time. Sunrise about an hour down the hill looking back.
~46 miles in ~52 hours. A bit much as I had a good 5 blisters by the end. By the last 1/3 of each day, I thought "this can't end soon enough". I survived, but would prefer shorter days next time!
Photos with my Oly E-PL1 & kit lens. Which I'm currently selling, actually. Going simpler/smaller (maybe LX7?).
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