Happy hour at 7000 feet
Dan looks pretty happy!
Pools on the approach to Crown Lake
Bear-proofing our food for the night
Morning view from our Crown Lake campsite
Getting ready to hoist the pack for our second day of uphill hiking
Approaching Mule Pass from the northwest
Slide Mountain slides into the Sawtooth Ridge and Matterhorn Peak
Delicate dance of pollination
Geology in granite
Destination dead ahead: down the valley and up the saddle right of Matterhorn
These blossoms are found near trickling creeks of snow melt
Relaxing at the campsite below Mule Pass
Sierra alpinglow makes every sunset rosy
We must always look our smartest!
This 100-year-old blaze was made when the US Cavalry patrolled Yosemite
Slide Canyon on the trail between Mule and Burro Passes
Dan poses below Matterhorn Peak, which he climbed on a previous trip
A doe greeted us in Matterhorn Canyon. Bucks meandered fearlessly in the evening.
Indian Paintbrush grows magenta in the upper Matterhorn Canyon
August dusk in upper Matterhorn Canyon
We took a day hike to explore the possibility of climbing this wall with full packs
Western view from the saddle on the ridge south of Matterhorn Peak
Spiller Canyon from the ridge below Matterhorn Peak
Eastern view from the ridge south of Matterhorn Peak
Upper Matterhorn Canyon (and the peak) at sunrise
Triumphant atop Burro Pass the second time over (when half our food was eaten!)
Hiking south into the Slide Canyon
The rock slide for which the mountain and canyon are named
Sawtooth Ridge in the morning sun
Looking down Slide Canyon
Busy bee and his competition
Looking toward our hike to see the pass below Slide Mountain (right)
Sculpted tree at Mule Pass campsite
The minute the sun goes down, we dress up in fleece
What better view can a person ask for when cooking?
Skeletal view of Blacksmith Peak at sunset
Not quite full moon over the Sawtooth Ridge
A quiet moment over morning tea
Dan leads the way over Mule Pass, leaving Slide Canyon
Baby pinecones growing above Crown Lake
A regal backdrop for Crown Lake
On Friday we descended dozens of switchbacks
Great spot for midmorning break at Crown Lake
Maybe a little nap is in order
Giant mushrooms grew in the shade next to the trail
Peeler Lake, a few hundred feet above Robinson Valley
Sculpted by the harsh climate of the Sierra Nevada
Submerged grass in a still inlet of Peeler Lake
Dan invites you to watch the sunset with him at Peeler Lake
South view from our Peeler Lake campsite at dusk
Fascinating shapes
How appropriate to meet a mule on this trip!
A cosmos of pollen
This trail recommended only for those wearing sturdy boots
Light packs and strong legs made the last day's hike easy and fun
