On this 6 day hike we took the bus from Mammoth Lakes ski area to Reds Meadows then followed the 'Sierra High Route' for 4 days to the road at Tuolumne Meadows. This was a mix of cross country and trail over some beautiful mountainous terrain past Ritter and Banner Peaks. We returned back south for 2 days via Koip Peak Pass on quiet trails, way east of the busier John Muir Trail and lovely in a more sparse arid way with wide expansive views. Altogether another great trip! Also see our hiking blog
Map of our route
29th August 2019 Leaving Devil's Postpile for the hills
Climbing past cascades on Minaret Creek
Minaret Lake
Above Minaret Lake
Cecile Lake
Cecile Lake with Ritter and Banner ahead
Cecile Lake
Descent to Iceberg Lake from Cecile Lake outlet
Lovely Iceberg Lake
Iceberg Lake outlet stream
August 2019 Sierra - Camp above Idaza Lake
Day 2 'Bleak Tarn' with Ritter Banner above
Above Nydiver Lakes- some macro photography....
...resulting shot!
The pass between Nydiver lakes and Garnet Lake was a bit 'scrabbly'
Marmot
Brian looks on to 1000 Island Lake
Nearing Glacier Pass north of Banner Peak
Lake Catherine -boulder hopping round the shore
Lake Catherine
Lake Catherine looking back to Banner and Ritter
Lake Catherine outlet
Cascade below Lake Catherine
Heading to Twin island Lakes and Indian Paintbrush
Indian Paintbrush
Twin Island Lakes -wading the outlet stream
Looking back to north Twin Island Lakes
August 2019 Sierra - Twin Island Lakes south camp packing up in the morning
Slabs in Bench Canyon
A bit of scrambling assisted by our 2mm cord above Blue Lakes
Blue Lake Pass looking back east
West of Blue Lake Pass we found this dazzling white quartzite outcrop
West of Blue Lake Pass
August 2019 Sierra - Back on trail and we camp at Lyell Fork
Day 4 To Tuolumne Meadows - Sierra Juniper tree- one of our favourites out here
Hiking through sun dappled forest
The north side of Vogelsang Pass
Day 5 We camped at Toulumne Meadows. This the grill and Martina is first in the queue for breakfast!
Old mines on the way to Parker Pass
On the way to Parker Pass on easier rolling terrain
Parker Pass
Heading up to Koip Peak Pass
Heading up to Koip Peak Pass
Heading up to Koip Peak Pass
Heading up to Koip Peak Pass
South from Koip Peak Pass after rain
South from Koip Peak Pass after rain
South from Koip Peak Pass after rain
Hiking east of Alger Lakes
Alger Lakes outlet
Sun again
Storms to the east above the desert
September 2019 Sierra - Campsite above Gem Lake
Day 6 Deer in the morning
Summit Lake - still morning panorama
Traversing on to the PCT back looking across to Ritter and Banner