Brendan and Stewart at the Dungeness Trailhead ( c.2500') , early afternoon on Friday.
Petunia Peak Ridge viewed from Upper Royal Lake Basin, showing most of our Saturday traverse, starting from the 6998’ highpoint on the left.
Stewart crossing the Dungeness River about a mile before Camp Handy.
Taking a break at Camp Handy (3100') before beginning the hike up to Goat Lake.
Stewart, recovering from an unplanned foot-bath when crossing the Dungeness at Camp Handy.
Nearing Goat Lake.
Goat Lake and several nearby ponds. Our camp was on the gravelly rise just down and left from the rightmost pond.
Our Friday night campsite.
Reflection in Goat Lake early Saturday morning.
Ice crystals pushing up pebbles, Saturday morning.
Ice on a small pond near Goat Lake.
Stewart's whisperlight never really cooperated when we made dinner, but eventually it worked itself out and we had it roaring for Saturday morning breakfast.
Looking back at Saturday morning’s route. We climbed the darker scree slopes between the two summits on the ridge, traversed right to the Northern point (6763'), then traversed the ridge back across the 6998' highpoint on the left, heading towards Petunia Peak where this picture was taken.
Goat Lake and Putina Peak.
Brendan finishing a (non-standard) 4th class scramble up rotten gulleys on the Southeast side of Petunia Peak.
Somebody forgot their wool hiking socks at Stewart's house, and was stuck with cotton socks and soggy feet for the trip.
Stewart and Brendan on the summit of Petunia Peak.
Looking North at Petunia Peak (dark, closer) , Mount Fricaba (the leftmost snowy peak), Mount Mystery, and Mount Deception. Upper Royal Lake Basin is below Mount Deception, and Royal Lake is visible below that area. Our Saturday night camp was on the high benches in the upper basin, down from Mount Mystery in the photo.
Stewart on the ridge, surrounded by wood-like rock shards.
Umm, snack time.
Looking back (North) at Petunia Peak and the 6998' highpoint.
Shale plates on the ridge.
"If you grab enough of these rotten flakes they'll hold, right?"
Gray Wolf Ridge, Royal Lake, and Petunia Peak. We descended the scree in the foreground, and camped near the small runoff streams visible at the base.
Brendan and Stewart on our final highpoint of the day.
Our second camp, in Upper Royal Lake Basin.
Cigar time.
Sunrise Sunday morning.
Mount Deception from Upper Royal Lake Basin. Untapped mixed climbing potential?
Stewart scopes out the route possibilities.
Amazing morning light in the upper basin.
Stewart boulder hopping.
Brendan and Stewart by a lake in the upper basin.
Cool fungus on the Royal Lake trail.
Brendan, behind the camera.
Stewart taking a break at Royal Lake.
Hiking out on the Royal Lake trail.
Cathedral in a tree.
