Above: Two time-lapse movies of moonrise (make sure to watch full-screen). Below: Full image gallery.
About to begin hiking from North Lake trailhead.
Night 1 campsite.
Lamarck Col
First view over Lamarck Col into Darwin Canyon.
From Lamarck Col looking back. Mt. Lamarck (left) is my next destination.
View of Lamarck Col from near the summit of Mt. Lamarck.
I will return there shortly to retrieve my pack.
Looking east from Mt. Lamarck.
Looking west from Mt. Lamarck.
I took a detour on the way back to Lamarck Col to see the neighboring canyon to the NW.
Moonrise begins in Darwin Canyon.
Night 2 campsite.
Sapphire Lake
Sapphire Lake
Wanda Lake
Night 3 campsite.
Sunset over Wanda Lake
The Milky Way begins to be visible as it gets darker.
Moonrise over Wanda Lake.
Sunrise - I'm up early!
Looking back at Wanda Lake from near Muir Pass.
A first look over Muir Pass.
Beginning descent into LeConte Canyon. Arguably the most beautiful and varied day of scenery.
Night 4 campsite at Grouse Meadows.
The northern Palisade Lake.
Leaving Palisade Lakes toward Cirque Pass. No official trail for the next two days.
Climbing 1500 feet of this with a pack wasn't necessarily the most fun thing.
Finally at the top of Cirque Pass, looking back south. I saw a couple of people in the distance while ascending. I won't see anyone else for two days.
Looking north from just below Cirque Pass. The top of Mt. Sill (center) has a tiny sliver of sunlight striking it. That's my destination for a day hike tomorrow.
Night 5 (and 6) campsite.
I have the entire basin to myself.
View of Potluck Pass (the notch on the right - where I exit tomorrow) on my way to Mt. Sill.
Lots of boulder hopping.
That doesn't look very comfortable (the path is along the steep scree and rock on the left).
The summit of Mt. Sill is at the very top. The best route seems to be on the far left of this photo.
Steep
View SW from Mt. Sill, 14,154' (4314m)
Palisade Glacier
View NE from Mt. Sill
Me, quite thrilled to be here.
Oh, and cold. I only took the mask off to take pictures.
I was excited to be able to see Mt. Palmer in Death Valley, where I backpacked last year.
My campsite is in the center, next to the small outlet lakes.
It was a windy day, apparently. Time to fix the tent and make dinner (night 6).
Sunrise in Glacier Basin.
View of Potluck Pass (the lowest spot on the right). The route is up the two long patches of loose scree (center), and then along a ledge to the right with a small switchback.
For once, it's easier going up than it looked, and there are lots of footprints visible on what seems to be the only reasonable path.
At the top of the scree I turn right and take this ledge to the top of Potluck Pass.
Looking back SE from Potluck pass toward Cirque Pass (center-right).
View NW from Potluck Pass into Palisade Basin. My last cross-country pass, Knapsack Pass, is center-left. The easiest route requires going counterclockwise starting to the right.
North Palisade behind Barrett Lakes.
Getting close to Knapsack Pass.
Almost at Knapsack Pass looking SE back into Palisade Basin.
Dusy Basin from Knapsack Pass.
The best route is to descend through the largest chute.
Night 7 campsite. It rained overnight. More is coming.
It's windy, snowy, and rainy, and actually pretty fun to hike though.
All fresh snow at the highest elevations before Bishop Pass.
Bishop Pass looking north.
Last view from the trail before arriving at the South Lake parking lot.
Driving down from South Lake - the clouds clear on the eastern side of the mountains, and the aspen trees are stunning.
On the drive home I had to stop for this!