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Outdoor Project

The ultimate adventure guide

Photo Date: 
10/18/2013
View looking south over Mineral King Valley.
Photo Date: 
07/18/2013
California corn lilly (Veratrum californicum).
Photo Date: 
07/18/2013
The trail to Monarch Lakes with Sawtooth Peak (12,343') rising above.
Photo Date: 
07/18/2013
The cross-country route to Glacier Pass (11,110'). Empire Mountain (11,550') extends out from the ridgeline.
Photo Date: 
07/19/2013
The east side of Glaicer Pass (11,110') and the cross-country route to Spring Lake.
Photo Date: 
07/18/2013
The descent from Glacier Pass to Spring Lake.
Photo Date: 
07/18/2013
Spring Lake with the Great Western Divide looming.
Photo Date: 
07/18/2013
The Great Western Divide, alpenglow, and a waxing moon rising.
Photo Date: 
07/19/2013
A backcountry camp at Spring Lake.
Photo Date: 
07/19/2013
View of the Black Rock Pass Trail with its switchbacks barely discernable. Yes, that is coming...
Photo Date: 
07/19/2013
The vista from Black Rock Pass looking east to Little Five Lakes and Big Five Lakes basins. Big Arroyo in the distance.
Photo Date: 
07/20/2013
Lower Little Five Lake with the Kaweah Peaks Ridge behind.
Photo Date: 
07/20/2013
Indian paintbrush (Castilleja miniata).
Photo Date: 
07/20/2013
Pacific onion flower (Allium validum).
Photo Date: 
07/20/2013
Middle Little Five Lake reflection.
Photo Date: 
07/20/2013
A yellow-bellied marmot (Marmota flaviventris) - a common acquaintance in the Sierra.
Photo Date: 
07/20/2013
A backcountry camp at Middle Big Five Lake.
Photo Date: 
07/21/2013
Throwing bugs before breakfast. Middle Big Five Lake.
Photo Date: 
07/21/2013
Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) and red fir (Abies magnifica).
Photo Date: 
07/21/2013
Sierra Lupine (Lupinus grayi).
Photo Date: 
07/21/2013
Lost Canyon from below.
Photo Date: 
07/21/2013
Lost Cayon from above.
Photo Date: 
07/21/2013
Columbine Lake from Sawtooth Pass (11,630'). Mount Whitney (14,505') is the high point on the farthest ridge left.
Photo Date: 
07/21/2013
A backcountry camp at Columbine Lake.
Photo Date: 
07/21/2013
Sierra sunset above Cyclamen and Spring Lakes.
Photo Date: 
07/18/2013
Signage at the Sawtooth Trailhead.
Emily Pennington
Photo Date: 
07/14/2018
The trail starts off dusty and dry, rising out of Mineral King.
Emily Pennington
Photo Date: 
07/14/2018
In July, the Mineral King Valley is green and bursting with wildflowers.
Emily Pennington
Photo Date: 
07/14/2018
Old-growth trees begin to appear as you near Monarch Lakes.
Emily Pennington
Photo Date: 
07/14/2018
If you want to break up the trip a bit, Monarch Lake is an excellent campsite, with bear boxes!
Emily Pennington
Photo Date: 
07/14/2018
Once you leave the maintained trail, a sand slog takes you toward Sawtooth Pass.
Emily Pennington
Photo Date: 
07/14/2018
Be sure to reserve more time than you think necessary for this section of the hike. It's burly!
Emily Pennington
Photo Date: 
07/14/2018
Sawtooth Pass is a true alpine spectacle, with granite boulders and spires all around.

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