Looking acros Summit Lake at the Palisades
From left to right the peaks in the Palisades seen here are, Mt. Gayley, Mt. Sill, and North Palisade. The top of the Palisade Glacier can be seen below Mt. Sill and the North Palisade.
395AfternoonAurora HDRBackpackingBig PineBishopCaliforniaClimbingCloudsEastern SierraFlowers PlantsGlacierHDRHighway 395HikingHwy 395John Muir WildernessLakeLandscapeLuminarMountainsMt AgassizNorth PalisadeOutdoorPalisade GlacierPalisadesPhotographySierra NevadaSnowSummerSummit Lakepeakskylum
Summit Lake and the Palisade Crest
395AfternoonAurora HDRBackpackingBig PineBishopCaliforniaClimbingCloudsEastern SierraFlowers PlantsGlacierHDRHighway 395HikingHwy 395John Muir WildernessLakeLandscapeLuminarMountainsMt AgassizNorth PalisadeOutdoorPalisade GlacierPalisadesPhotographySierra NevadaSnowSummerSummit Lakepeakskylum
Looking at the Palisades from near Summit Lake
Taken along the Big Pine Creek Lakes Loop in the John Muir Wilderness.
LookingthePalisadesfromnearSummitLake395AfternoonAurora HDRBackpackingBig PineBishopCaliforniaClimbingCloudsEastern SierraGlacierHDRHighway 395HikingHwy 395John Muir WildernessLandscapeLuminarMountainsMt AgassizNorth PalisadeOutdoorPalisade GlacierPhotographySierra NevadaSnowSummerpeakskylum
The Palisade Crest
From near Summit Lake
395AfternoonAurora HDRBackpackingBig PineBishopCaliforniaClimbingCloudsEastern SierraGlacierHDRHighway 395HikingHwy 395John Muir WildernessLandscapeLuminarMountainsMt AgassizNorth PalisadeOutdoorPalisade GlacierPalisadesPeoplePhotographySierra NevadaSnowSummerpeakskylum
Ryan soaking up the Palisade Crest
395AfternoonAurora HDRBackpackingBig PineBishopCaliforniaClimbingCloudsEastern SierraGlacierHDRHighway 395HikingHwy 395John Muir WildernessLandscapeLuminarMountainsMt AgassizNorth PalisadeOutdoorPalisade GlacierPalisadesPeoplePhotographySierra NevadaSnowSummerpeakskylum
Fifth Lake during a morning rain shower
395AfternoonAurora HDRBackpackingBig PineBishopCaliforniaClimbingCloudsEastern SierraFlowers PlantsGlacierHDRHighway 395HikingHwy 395John Muir WildernessLakeLandscapeLuminarMountainsMt AgassizNorth PalisadeOutdoorPalisade GlacierPalisadesPhotographySierra NevadaSnowSummerfifth lakepeakskylum
Black Lake
Taken on a tour of the Big Pine Lakes
395Aurora HDRBackpackingBig PineBishopBlack LakeCaliforniaClimbingCloudsEastern SierraFlowers PlantsGlacierHDRHighway 395HikingHwy 395John Muir WildernessLakeLandscapeLuminarMountainsMt AgassizNorth PalisadeOutdoorPalisade GlacierPalisadesPhotographySierra NevadaSummerpeakskylum
First Lake, Second Lake, Temple Crag and the Palisades
Taken from the hike to Black Lake on the Big Pine Creek Lakes Loop.
FirstLakeSecondTempleCragandthePalisades395BackpackingBig PineBishopCaliforniaClimbingCloudsEastern SierraFirst LakeHighway 395HikingHwy 395John Muir WildernessLandscapeLuminarMountainsMt AgassizNorth PalisadeOutdoorPalisade GlacierPhotographySecond LakeSierra NevadaSnowSummerTemple Cragpeakskylum
The Palisade Glacier and the North Palisade
Pretty impressive for the largest glacier remaining in the Sierra Nevadas.
395AfternoonAurora HDRBackpackingBig PineBishopCaliforniaClimbingCloudsEastern SierraGlacial PoolGlacierHDRHighway 395HikingHwy 395John Muir WildernessLandscapeLuminarMountainsMt AgassizNorth PalisadeOutdoorPalisade GlacierPalisadesPhotographyPondSierra NevadaSnowSummerpeakskylum
Thunderbolt Peak, Mt. Winchell, and Mt. Aggasiz
Taken from just above the Palisade Glacier
395AfternoonAurora HDRBackpackingBig PineBishopCaliforniaClimbingCloudsEastern SierraGlacial PoolGlacierHDRHighway 395HikingHwy 395John Muir WildernessLandscapeLuminarMountainsMt AgassizMt. WinchellNorth PalisadeOutdoorPalisade GlacierPalisadesPhotographyPondSierra NevadaSnowSummerThunderbolt Peakpeakskylum
Palisade Glacier on a cloudy afternoon
With Mt. Sill and the Palisades rising up behind it.
395AfternoonAurora HDRBackpackingBig PineBishopCaliforniaClimbingCloudsEastern SierraGlacial PoolGlacierHDRHighway 395HikingHwy 395John Muir WildernessLandscapeLuminarMountainsMt AgassizNorth PalisadeOutdoorPalisade GlacierPalisadesPhotographyPondSierra NevadaSnowSummerpeakskylum
Palisade Glacier and the Palisade Crest- Panorama
395AfternoonAurora HDRBackpackingBig PineBishopCaliforniaClimbingCloudsEastern SierraGlacial PoolGlacierHDRHighway 395HikingHwy 395John Muir WildernessLandscapeLuminarMountainsMt AgassizNorth PalisadeOutdoorPalisade GlacierPalisadesPanoramicPhotographyPondSierra NevadaSnowSummerpeakskylum
First Lake, Second Lake and the rest of the Big Pine Creek Drainage
Taken while ascending to the Palisade Glacier from our camp between First and Second Lake
395BackpackingBig PineBig Pine CreekBishopCaliforniaClimbingCloudsEastern SierraFirst LakeHighway 395HikingHwy 395John Muir WildernessLakeLandscapeLuminarMountainsNorth PalisadeOutdoorPalisade GlacierPalisadesPhotographySecond LakeSierra NevadaSummerpeakskylum
Looking down on Sam Mack Meadow
Taken along the hike to the Palisade Glacier. Sam Mack Meadow is one of the prettiest little meadows I've seen in the Sierras, made even more beautiful by the glacial stream running through the middle
LookingdownSamMackMeadow395AfternoonAurora HDRBackpackingBig PineBishopCaliforniaClimbingCloudsEastern SierraFlowers PlantsGlacierHDRHighway 395HikingHwy 395John Muir WildernessLandscapeLuminarMountainsMt AgassizNorth PalisadeOutdoorPalisade GlacierPalisadesPhotographyPondReflectionsRiverSam Mack MeadowSierra NevadaSnowSummercreekpeakskylum
Looking downstream in Sam Mack Meadow
395AfternoonAurora HDRBackpackingBig PineBishopCaliforniaClimbingCloudsEastern SierraFlowers PlantsGlacierHDRHighway 395HikingHwy 395John Muir WildernessLandscapeLuminarMeadowMountainsMt AgassizNorth PalisadeOutdoorPalisade GlacierPalisadesPhotographyPondReflectionsRiverSam Mack MeadowSierra NevadaSummercreekpeakskylum
Strolling through Sam Mack Meadow
395AfternoonAurora HDRBackpackingBig PineBishopCaliforniaClimbingCloudsEastern SierraFlowers PlantsGlacierHDRHighway 395HikingHwy 395John Muir WildernessLandscapeLuminarMeadowMountainsMt AgassizNorth PalisadeOutdoorPalisade GlacierPalisadesPhotographyPondReflectionsRiverSam Mack MeadowSierra NevadaSnowSummercreekpeakskylum
The Palisade Crest reflecting in a pond in Sam Mack Meadow
ThePalisadeCrestreflectingPondSamMackMeadow395AfternoonAurora HDRBackpackingBig PineBishopCaliforniaClimbingCloudsEastern SierraFlowers PlantsGlacierHDRHighway 395HikingHwy 395John Muir WildernessLandscapeLuminarMountainsMt AgassizNorth PalisadeOutdoorPalisade GlacierPalisadesPhotographyReflectionsRiverSam Mack MeadowSierra NevadaSnowSummercreekpeakskylum
Reflections in Sam Mack Meadow
Taken on the hike up to the Palisade Glacier
ReflectionsSamMackMeadowVertical395AfternoonAurora HDRBackpackingBig PineBishopCaliforniaClimbingCloudsEastern SierraFlowers PlantsGlacierHDRHighway 395HikingHwy 395John Muir WildernessLandscapeLuminarMountainsMt AgassizNorth PalisadeOutdoorPalisade GlacierPalisadesPhotographyPondRiverSam Mack MeadowSierra NevadaSnowSummercreekpeakskylum
Sam Mack Meadow
As seen from the trail to the Palisade Glacier up the North Fork of Big Pine Creek, CA. This picture is taken right when you crest the ridge into the meadow.
SamMackMeadow395AfternoonAurora HDRBackpackingBig PineBishopCaliforniaClimbingCloudsEastern SierraFlowers PlantsGlacierHDRHighway 395HikingHwy 395John Muir WildernessLandscapeLuminarMountainsMt AgassizNorth PalisadeOutdoorPalisade GlacierPalisadesPhotographyPondReflectionsRiverSam Mack MeadowSierra NevadaSnowSummercreekpeakskylum
Pure Joy
My friend Ryan, entering Sam Mack Meadown on the hike up to the Palisade Glacier.
PureJoy395AfternoonAurora HDRBackpackingBig PineBishopCaliforniaClimbingCloudsEastern SierraFlowers PlantsGlacierHDRHighway 395HikingHwy 395John Muir WildernessLandscapeLuminarMountainsNorth PalisadeOutdoorPalisade GlacierPalisadesPeoplePhotographyRiverSam Mack MeadowSierra NevadaSnowSummercreekpeakskylum
A stream along the way to the Palisade Glacier
395AfternoonAurora HDRBackpackingBig PineBishopCaliforniaClimbingEastern SierraFlowers PlantsGlacierHDRHighway 395HikingHwy 395John Muir WildernessLandscapeLuminarMountainsOutdoorPalisade GlacierPhotographyRiverSam Mack MeadowSierra NevadaSummerTemple Cragcreekpeakskylum
Ryan cheesing it up on the way to the Palisade Glacier
In the John Muir Wilderness, CA
395AfternoonAurora HDRBackpackingBig PineBishopCaliforniaClimbingEastern SierraFlowers PlantsGlacierHDRHighway 395HikingHwy 395John Muir WildernessLandscapeLuminarMountainsOutdoorPalisade GlacierPeoplePhotographyRiverSam Mack MeadowSierra NevadaSummerTemple Cragcreekpeakskylum
Two Eagles Peak
As seen from a meadow on the way up to the Palisade Glacier
TwoEaglespeak395AfternoonAurora HDRBackpackingBig PineBishopCaliforniaClimbingEastern SierraFlowers PlantsGlacierHDRHighway 395HikingHwy 395John Muir WildernessLandscapeLuminarMountainsOutdoorPalisade GlacierPhotographyRiverSam Mack MeadowSierra NevadaSummerTwo Eagles PeakVerticalcreekskylum
Temple Crag
Taken in the late afternoon from near our campsite at Second Lake
395Aurora HDRBackpackingBig PineBishopCaliforniaClimbingEastern SierraHDRHighway 395HikingHwy 395John Muir WildernessLakeLandscapeLuminarMountainsMt AgassizNorth PalisadeOutdoorPalisade GlacierPalisadesPhotographyReflectionsSecond LakeSierra NevadaSnowSummerSunsetTemple CragVerticalpeakskylum
Temple Crag
Second Lake is the second lake you'll encounter when hiking in along the North Fork of Big Pine Creek.
SecondLakeandTempleCragSunsetHiResJPEG395Aurora HDRBackpackingBig PineBishopCaliforniaClimbingCloudsEastern SierraHDRHighway 395HikingHwy 395John Muir WildernessLandscapeLuminarMountainsMt AgassizNorth PalisadeOutdoorPalisade GlacierPalisadesPhotographyReflectionsSecond LakeSierra NevadaSnowSummerTemple CragVerticalpeakskylum
Second Lake and Temple Crag reflecting in the last light of the day
395Aurora HDRBackpackingBig PineBishopCaliforniaClimbingCloudsEastern SierraHDRHighway 395HikingHwy 395John Muir WildernessLakeLandscapeLuminarMountainsMt. SillNorth PalisadeOutdoorPalisade GlacierPalisadesPhotographyReflectionsSecond LakeSierra NevadaSnowSummerSunsetTemple Cragpeakskylum
Jeff and Ryan soaking up sunset at the 2nd Big Pine Lake
In the John Muir Wilderness
395Aurora HDRBackpackingBig PineBishopCaliforniaClimbingCloudsEastern SierraHDRHighway 395HikingHwy 395John Muir WildernessLakeLandscapeLuminarMountainsMt. SillNorth PalisadeOutdoorPalisade GlacierPalisadesPeoplePhotographyReflectionsSecond LakeSierra NevadaSnowSummerSunsetTemple Cragpeakskylum
Temple Crag and Second Lake in the afternoon
Second Lake is the second lake you'll encounter when hiking in along the North Fork of Big Pine Creek.
395Aurora HDRBackpackingBig PineBishopCaliforniaClimbingCloudsEastern SierraHDRHighway 395HikingHwy 395John Muir WildernessLakeLandscapeLuminarMountainsMt AgassizNorth PalisadeOutdoorPalisade GlacierPalisadesPhotographyReflectionsSecond LakeSierra NevadaSnowSummerTemple CragVerticalpeakskylum
Looking down on First Lake
From Second Lake of the Big Pine Lakes.
395Aurora HDRBackpackingBig PineBishopCaliforniaClimbingCloudsEastern SierraHDRHighway 395HikingHwy 395John Muir WildernessLakeLandscapeLuminarMountainsMt AgassizNorth PalisadeOutdoorPalisade GlacierPalisadesPhotographyReflectionsSecond LakeSierra NevadaSnowSummerTemple Cragpeakskylum
Golden Lake as seen from Mono Pass
An alternate trail into Pioneer Basin and the Mono Creek drainage can be found by following the faint use trail that you can see in this picture. Just head North from the trail once you reach Mono Pas to the obvious cirque holding the lake.
GoldenLakeHiResJPEGAurora HDRBackpackingCaliforniaGolden LakeHDRHikingJohn Muir WildernessLuminarMono CreekMono DivideMono PassMosquito FlatMountainsPathPhotographyPioneer BasinSierra NevadaSpringSummerTrailWilderness
Awestruck
The view of the Mono Divide and the Third Recess from this spot in Pioneer Basin is one of the best vantage points in the entire Sierra Nevada
BackpackingCaliforniaForestFourth RecessHDRHikingJohn Muir WildernessLakeLandscapeMono DivideMono PassMono RockMosquito FlatMountainsPhotographyPioneer BasinSierra NevadaSpringSummerThird RecessWilderness
Taking in the sunset over Pioneer Basin
My good friend Jeff, soaking in one of my all time favorite camping spots in the Sierras
JeffadmiringtheSunsetoverPioneerBasinHiResJPEGAurora HDRBackpackingCaliforniaForestFourth RecessHDRHikingJohn Muir WildernessLakeLandscapeLuminarMono DivideMono PassMono RockMosquito FlatMountainsPeoplePhotographyPioneer BasinSierra NevadaSpringSummerThird RecessWilderness
Lupine in bloom
Lupine blooing near our camp in Pioneer Basin
LupinebloomingPioneerBasinHiResJPEGBackpackingCaliforniaFlowers PlantsHDRHikingJohn Muir WildernessLandscapeMono DivideMono PassMosquito FlatMountainsPhotographyPioneer BasinSierra NevadaSpringSummerWilderness
Lakes 1 and 2 in Pioneer Basin
Looking back at the Third and Fourth Recesses.
BackpackingCaliforniaForestFourth RecessHDRHikingJohn Muir WildernessLakeLake 1Lake 2LandscapeMono DivideMono PassMono RockMosquito FlatMountainsPhotographyPioneer BasinSierra NevadaSpringSummerThird RecessWilderness
Lake # 1 in Pioneer Basin with the Mono Divide in the distance
LakePioneerBasinwiththeMonoDividedistanceHiResJPEGAurora HDRBackpackingCaliforniaForestFourth RecessHDRHikingJohn Muir WildernessLake 1LandscapeLuminarMono DivideMono PassMono RockMosquito FlatMountainsPhotographyPioneer BasinSierra NevadaSpringSummerThird RecessWilderness
The last of the storm rolling through Fourth Recess Lake
StormsrollingthroughFourthRecessLakeSunsetHiResJPEGAurora HDRBackpackingCaliforniaFogForestFourth RecessHDRHikingJohn Muir WildernessLandscapeLuminarMono DivideMono PassMono RockMosquito FlatMountainsPhotographyPioneer BasinSierra NevadaSpringSummerThird RecessWildernessstorm
Fishing Fourth Recess
Fishing at Fourth Recess Lake, one of my favorite lakes ever.
BackpackingCaliforniaFishingForestFourth Recess LakeHDRHikingJohn Muir WildernessLakeLandscapeMono DivideMono PassMosquito FlatMountainsPeoplePhotographyPioneer BasinReflectionsSierra NevadaSpringSummerSunsetWilderness
A storm passing through Fourth Recess and Fourth Recess Lake
In the John Muir Wilderness and the Mono Divide
FourthRecessLakethestormpassesHiResJPEGAurora HDRBackpackingCaliforniaFishingForestFourth Recess LakeHDRHikingJohn Muir WildernessLandscapeLuminarMono DivideMono PassMosquito FlatMountainsPeoplePhotographyPioneer BasinReflectionsSierra NevadaSpringSummerSunsetWilderness
Crossing above Golden Lake
Taking the cross country route from Mono Pass the the Mono Creek Drainage by passing above Golden Creek to the headwaters of Mono Creek
CrossingaboveGoldenLakeHiResJPEGAurora HDRBackpackingCaliforniaGolden LakeHDRHikingJohn Muir WildernessLuminarMono CreekMono DivideMono PassMosquito FlatMountainsPathPhotographyPioneer BasinSierra NevadaSpringSummerWilderness
Pioneer Basin and beyond
As seen from along the Coast Trail from near Mono Pass. Red Slate and Red and White Peak rise up in the distance.
BackpackingCaliforniaForestFourth RecessHDRHikingJohn Muir WildernessLakeLake 1Lake 2LandscapeMono DivideMono PassMono RockMosquito FlatMountainsPhotographyPioneer BasinSierra NevadaSpringSummerThird RecessWilderness
Hiking in shorts, in the snow, in July, felt like a dream
A snowman was welcoming my friend Jeff and I to a snowy Mono Pass.
BackpackingCaliforniaHikingJohn Muir WildernessLakeLuminarMono DivideMono PassMosquito FlatMountainsPathPeoplePhotographyPioneer BasinSierra NevadaSnowSpringSummerSummit LakeTopaz ImpressionTrailWilderness
The trail over Mono Pass after an early July snowstorm
I've hiked this pass multiple times and this time was by far the most beautiful.
Aurora HDRBackpackingCaliforniaHDRHikingJohn Muir WildernessLakeLuminarMono DivideMono PassMosquito FlatMountainsPathPhotographyPioneer BasinSierra NevadaSnowSpringSummerSummit LakeTopaz ImpressionTrailWilderness
A barren trail...
Heading up Mono Pass from the Mosquito Creek Trailhead. This is one of those section where you feel like you're in the High Sierra, especially with the added summer snow.
BackpackingCaliforniaHDRHikingJohn Muir WildernessMono DivideMono PassMosquito FlatMountainsPathPhotographyPioneer BasinSierra NevadaSnowSpringSummerTrailWilderness