on 7/14 we drove from Albuquerque to Bishop, CA. Our route took us over the Hoover Dam. Lots of traffic.
Strange alien things at the Hoover Dam. Note the low water level.
Looking down 700 feet to the Colorado River.
Looking up at the new bypass. It will be nearly 900 feet above the river when completed.
Our route took us on lonely CA-168 to bring us into Bishop from Nevada. Here we see the White Mountains at sunset.
White Mountain sunset.
on 7/15 we got a permit and headed for the South Lake trailhead. South Lake is really a reservoir.
James and South Lake
me hiking along South Lake. Photo courtesy James Shields
well-named Long Lake, en route to Bishop Pass
Mt Goode (13,085 ft)
Mt Agassiz (13,893 ft), one of the 100 highest peaks in the lower 48 states. Bishop Pass is just right of center.
Looking across Bishop Lakes
above Bishop Lakes, just before Bishop Pass
me at Bishop Pass (11,900 ft). Photo courtesy James Shields
the unnamed lakes of Dusy Basin. We travelled cross-country across Dusy Basin, and then to our camp in Palisade Basin, directly below North Palisade.
me and stormy weather in Dusy Basin. Photo courtesy James Shields
the large lake in Palisade Basin
a neighbor (lower left shore of lake)
me taking pics at sunset. Our camp here was at 11,940 feet. Photo courtesy James Shields
North Palisade (14,260 ft), our objective. It is the right-most pinnacle of the group. California 14ers are much harder than their Colorado brethren.
unnamed peak in Palisade Basin.
on 7/16 we got an early start up North Pal, as the locals refer to it. Photo courtesy James Shields
me climbing the loose gully. There was a lot of loose rock that day. Photo courtesy James Shields
racking up. Photo courtesy James Shields
in one of the many narrow gullys. Photo courtesy James Shields
Photo courtesy James Shields
near the top. Looking down at the Palisade Glacier on the other side of the peak. We made the summit, but did not take any photos at the top (forgot the camera when we roped up for the last 100 feet). Photo courtesy James Shields
rappelling down. Photo courtesy James Shields
Boulder hopping back to camp in the stark Sierra sun. Photo courtesy James Shields
James. Photo courtesy James Shields
Almost back at camp. 10 hours round-trip. Photo courtesy James Shields
unnamed peak at sunset
Palisades reflection
a small tarn near camp
our little paradise
on 7/17 we packed up and headed out. I felt sick.
marmot
crossing Dusy Basin again
find James
a rest at an unnamed lake atop Bishop Pass
James and Picture Puzzle (13,300 ft). The peak really is just called Picture Puzzle (no peak or mtn).
Bishop Lakes, sunny this time. It was a hot hike back to the car, and super-dry.
That evening we drove through Yosemite to get to Sacramento.
Half Dome at sunset.
In the distance is Mt Conness, one of our planned objectives for the trip, but it will have to wait for next time.
