Crystal Range 2004

Trip Map. To print map, select "O" in other sizes below, to save file in original (highest) resolution. Right-click to save on your computer.

2009-06-05T09:06:58Z

Frank Farmer
Trip Map. To print map, select "O" in other sizes below, to save file in original (highest) resolution. Right-click to save on your computer.

trip-profile.jpg

2009-06-05T05:26:02Z

Frank Farmer
trip-profile.jpg

Our hiking group for today. From left: Karen, Frank, Eric, Lisa ... near Wrights Lake ... Thanks to Karen and Lisa, for suggesting the use of Canon PhotoStitch software in making the panoram ...

2009-06-05T21:48:53Z

Frank Farmer
Our hiking group for today. From left: Karen, Frank, Eric, Lisa ... near Wrights Lake ... Thanks to Karen and Lisa, for suggesting the use of Canon PhotoStitch software in making the panoram ...

Our plan for today! Twin Lakes, Here we come

2009-06-05T06:15:04Z

Frank Farmer
Our plan for today! Twin Lakes, Here we come

Meadow at Wrights Lake

2009-06-05T04:40:04Z

Frank Farmer
Meadow at Wrights Lake

Trail sign. Conditions are pretty dry, as it is late in the season.

2009-06-05T21:52:59Z

Frank Farmer
Trail sign. Conditions are pretty dry, as it is late in the season.

We started in forest, and the route soon opened up into gently sloping granite slabs

2009-06-05T06:42:19Z

Frank Farmer
We started in forest, and the route soon opened up into gently sloping granite slabs

Scenery opening up

2009-06-05T04:31:54Z

Frank Farmer
Scenery opening up

Eric leads the way onto the first slabs!

2009-02-21T18:48:21Z

Frank Farmer
Eric leads the way onto the first slabs!

Karen. She is a picture takin' machine. This was one of the few moments when she wasn't taking pictures.

2009-06-05T04:33:17Z

Frank Farmer
Karen. She is a picture takin' machine. This was one of the few moments when she wasn't taking pictures.

Lisa. She has been to this area many times and gave us great info for this and future trips.

2009-06-05T04:48:03Z

Frank Farmer
Lisa. She has been to this area many times and gave us great info for this and future trips.

Your photographer (Frank). He is bewildered beyond belief.

2009-06-05T04:32:26Z

Frank Farmer
Your photographer (Frank). He is bewildered beyond belief.

Lisa heads up the trail

2009-06-05T04:35:38Z

Frank Farmer
Lisa heads up the trail

First peek at the Crystal Range Peaks!

2009-06-05T04:42:57Z

Frank Farmer
First peek at the Crystal Range Peaks!

Karen on the trail

2009-06-05T05:03:59Z

Frank Farmer
Karen on the trail

Mixed forest and open country

2009-06-05T04:44:59Z

Frank Farmer
Mixed forest and open country

Karen records the scene

2009-06-05T04:43:37Z

Frank Farmer
Karen records the scene

Checking out the views all around

2009-06-05T06:15:44Z

Frank Farmer
Checking out the views all around

Why rush, with all the scenery?

2009-06-05T06:35:56Z

Frank Farmer
Why rush, with all the scenery?

The forest in this area seemed relatively healthy, compared to other parts of the Sierra

2009-06-05T21:47:56Z

Frank Farmer
The forest in this area seemed relatively healthy, compared to other parts of the Sierra

Entering Desolation Wilderness

2009-06-05T04:37:21Z

Frank Farmer
Entering Desolation Wilderness

I thought you had the permit. Who knew that the trailhead self-service kiosk would be closed, even though the Eldorado National Forest web site said it would be open through October.

2009-02-21T18:51:01Z

Frank Farmer
I thought you had the permit. Who knew that the trailhead self-service kiosk would be closed, even though the Eldorado National Forest web site said it would be open through October.

Signpost. Two popular names for lakes!

2009-06-05T04:33:12Z

Frank Farmer
Signpost. Two popular names for lakes!

Getting closer to Twin Lakes

2009-06-05T04:38:01Z

Frank Farmer
Getting closer to Twin Lakes

Getting there

2009-06-05T21:36:19Z

Frank Farmer
Getting there

Mount Agassiz

2009-06-05T04:58:51Z

Frank Farmer
Mount Agassiz

Looking back at Wrights Lake and the western sierra. We hiked along at times with a group of well-mannered teenage boys. Nice to see kids developing an appreciation for the outdoors!

2009-06-05T05:38:12Z

Frank Farmer
Looking back at Wrights Lake and the western sierra. We hiked along at times with a group of well-mannered teenage boys. Nice to see kids developing an appreciation for the outdoors!

Karen at work. Her photo web site is Karen's Hiking Photos.

2009-06-05T04:32:24Z

Frank Farmer
Karen at work. Her photo web site is Karen's Hiking Photos.

Wrights Lake

2009-06-05T04:48:14Z

Frank Farmer
Wrights Lake

Open slab country, leading to Twin Lakes. We crossed over from one creek divide into another, leading to Twin Lakes.

2009-06-05T22:04:11Z

Frank Farmer
Open slab country, leading to Twin Lakes. We crossed over from one creek divide into another, leading to Twin Lakes.

Peak 8925. A nice peak to climb, just north of Umpa Lake, near Twin Lakes.

2009-06-05T21:45:38Z

Frank Farmer
Peak 8925. A nice peak to climb, just north of Umpa Lake, near Twin Lakes.

Approaching the peaks.

2009-06-05T04:47:46Z

Frank Farmer
Approaching the peaks.

Open granite terrain, on the western slopes of the Crystal Range.

2009-06-05T05:06:10Z

Frank Farmer
Open granite terrain, on the western slopes of the Crystal Range.

View west, toward Wrights Lake and Sacramento. The gathering clouds drew our attention most of the day.

2009-02-21T18:51:01Z

Frank Farmer
View west, toward Wrights Lake and Sacramento. The gathering clouds drew our attention most of the day.

Western Panorama

2009-06-05T21:41:13Z

Frank Farmer
Western Panorama

Gaining elevation

2009-06-05T04:49:25Z

Frank Farmer
Gaining elevation

First view up the Twin Lakes Cirque. Peak 9441 is the prominent peak seen at the left.

2009-06-05T04:35:51Z

Frank Farmer
First view up the Twin Lakes Cirque. Peak 9441 is the prominent peak seen at the left.

More of the Twin Lakes Cirque. This picture and the preceding one are close, but not quite on the money, as a panorama shot

2009-06-05T05:54:53Z

Frank Farmer
More of the Twin Lakes Cirque. This picture and the preceding one are close, but not quite on the money, as a panorama shot

Lots of tall, solo trees. Not much evidence of lightning damage, that I saw

2009-06-05T22:02:30Z

Frank Farmer
Lots of tall, solo trees. Not much evidence of lightning damage, that I saw

Helipad, near Lower Twin Lake

2009-06-05T04:42:24Z

Frank Farmer
Helipad, near Lower Twin Lake

Panorama of Island Lake Cirque, from Lower Twin Lake.

2009-06-05T04:39:30Z

Frank Farmer
Panorama of Island Lake Cirque, from Lower Twin Lake.

Peak 9441, from Lower Twin Lake. We thought about climbing this peak, but it was out of our reach on this day. There will be other days.

2009-06-05T06:02:51Z

Frank Farmer
Peak 9441, from Lower Twin Lake. We thought about climbing this peak, but it was out of our reach on this day. There will be other days.

Looking east on Lower Twin Lake

2009-06-05T21:49:36Z

Frank Farmer
Looking east on Lower Twin Lake

Karen leads the way, on the trail to Upper Twin Lake and beyond. Naturally, she is taking a picture.

2009-06-05T05:26:27Z

Frank Farmer
Karen leads the way, on the trail to Upper Twin Lake and beyond. Naturally, she is taking a picture.

Impressive canyon walls

2009-06-05T05:23:51Z

Frank Farmer
Impressive canyon walls

Lisa and Eric hiking in a little meadow

2009-06-05T05:18:54Z

Frank Farmer
Lisa and Eric hiking in a little meadow

Zoom out view of Lisa and Eric in the meadow, on the way to Boomerang Lake

2009-06-05T05:11:40Z

Frank Farmer
Zoom out view of Lisa and Eric in the meadow, on the way to Boomerang Lake

Karen bundling up. The clouds closed in a bit, so we put on some warmth gear.

2009-06-05T04:50:02Z

Frank Farmer
Karen bundling up. The clouds closed in a bit, so we put on some warmth gear.

Well, not everyone put on warmth gear. All except for Eric, who showed us what it means to be a tough hiker from New York. This is sunny California, after all.

2009-06-05T04:36:07Z

Frank Farmer
Well, not everyone put on warmth gear. All except for Eric, who showed us what it means to be a tough hiker from New York. This is sunny California, after all.

Lisa enjoyed walking over the slab country, as did the rest of us.

2009-06-05T05:55:07Z

Frank Farmer
Lisa enjoyed walking over the slab country, as did the rest of us.

Panorama of southern wall of Twin Lakes Cirque. Mount Price (9975') is the pointed peak, right in the center.

2009-06-05T04:38:50Z

Frank Farmer
Panorama of southern wall of Twin Lakes Cirque. Mount Price (9975') is the pointed peak, right in the center.

Panorama of Upper Twin Lake

2009-06-05T05:51:08Z

Frank Farmer
Panorama of Upper Twin Lake

Peak 9441, over Boomerang Lake

2009-06-05T05:53:30Z

Frank Farmer
Peak 9441, over Boomerang Lake

Hi everyone! Eric, Lisa, and Karen at Boomerang Lake

2009-06-05T04:25:05Z

Frank Farmer
Hi everyone! Eric, Lisa, and Karen at Boomerang Lake

Hi, yourself!

2009-06-05T04:29:43Z

Frank Farmer
Hi, yourself!

Boomerang Lake and Peak 9441

2009-06-05T04:48:54Z

Frank Farmer
Boomerang Lake and Peak 9441

Peak 8925, from Boomerang Lake

2009-06-05T04:33:12Z

Frank Farmer
Peak 8925, from Boomerang Lake

Peak 9441. How can such a photogenic peak not have a name?

2009-06-05T21:42:24Z

Frank Farmer
Peak 9441. How can such a photogenic peak not have a name?

Looking west from Boomerang Lake

2009-06-05T22:09:12Z

Frank Farmer
Looking west from Boomerang Lake

Looking south, across an unnamed lake near Boomerang Lake. How can such a photogenic lake not have a name?

2009-06-05T04:52:16Z

Frank Farmer
Looking south, across an unnamed lake near Boomerang Lake. How can such a photogenic lake not have a name?

Eric

2009-06-05T04:45:51Z

Frank Farmer
Eric

Karen (and everyone else) was fascinated by this area with colorful streaked rocks.

2009-06-05T06:36:26Z

Frank Farmer
Karen (and everyone else) was fascinated by this area with colorful streaked rocks.

Interesting knob on the north side of the canyon

2009-06-05T04:53:51Z

Frank Farmer
Interesting knob on the north side of the canyon

360 degree panorama at Island Lake

2009-06-05T04:59:41Z

Frank Farmer
360 degree panorama at Island Lake

Peak 9441, from Island Lake

2009-06-05T05:55:56Z

Frank Farmer
Peak 9441, from Island Lake

Crystal Range, from Island Lake

2009-06-05T04:36:47Z

Frank Farmer
Crystal Range, from Island Lake

Another view across Island Lake

2009-06-05T05:02:32Z

Frank Farmer
Another view across Island Lake

Looking south across Island Lake

2009-06-05T06:06:24Z

Frank Farmer
Looking south across Island Lake

Karen checking out an island, in Island Lake, linked to the mainland by a stepping stone isthmus.

2009-06-05T04:24:27Z

Frank Farmer
Karen checking out an island, in Island Lake, linked to the mainland by a stepping stone isthmus.

Karen

2009-06-05T05:02:25Z

Frank Farmer
Karen

Eric visiting the island, while Karen returns

2009-06-05T06:12:42Z

Frank Farmer
Eric visiting the island, while Karen returns

Our hiking group, at Island Lake. Lisa, Eric, Karen, Frank ... Photo by Dave Marquis (Thanks!)

2009-06-05T05:15:34Z

Frank Farmer
Our hiking group, at Island Lake. Lisa, Eric, Karen, Frank ... Photo by Dave Marquis (Thanks!)

Dave Marquis (right) with his sister (with sunglasses) and friends. Enjoying a day at the lake. Thanks for taking our picture! He is a reporter at KXTV News 10 in Sacramento, and a very good ...

2009-06-05T04:36:46Z

Frank Farmer
Dave Marquis (right) with his sister (with sunglasses) and friends. Enjoying a day at the lake. Thanks for taking our picture! He is a reporter at KXTV News 10 in Sacramento, and a very good ...

Patterns in the rock

2009-06-05T04:41:17Z

Frank Farmer
Patterns in the rock

Patterns in the sky

2009-06-05T04:41:28Z

Frank Farmer
Patterns in the sky

Fall colors

2009-06-05T04:22:57Z

Frank Farmer
Fall colors

Fall colors

2009-06-05T06:02:06Z

Frank Farmer
Fall colors

Mount Price (highest peak, at center right)

2009-06-05T04:46:07Z

Frank Farmer
Mount Price (highest peak, at center right)

Eric leads the way, back down the trail

2009-06-05T05:11:18Z

Frank Farmer
Eric leads the way, back down the trail

Exfoliating granite

2009-06-05T05:16:54Z

Frank Farmer
Exfoliating granite

Zoom in view of exfoliating granite

2009-06-05T04:44:59Z

Frank Farmer
Zoom in view of exfoliating granite

Panorama of Peak 9441 and Island Lake Cirque. Last view of this delightful place.

2009-06-05T21:42:05Z

Frank Farmer
Panorama of Peak 9441 and Island Lake Cirque. Last view of this delightful place.

Granite dome, looking west toward Wrights Lake

2009-06-05T21:40:12Z

Frank Farmer
Granite dome, looking west toward Wrights Lake

Heading down the trail

2009-02-21T18:52:55Z

Frank Farmer
Heading down the trail

Lots of ducks are present in the area. Fortunately, they are a reliable and accurate guide to the route on this trail.

2009-06-05T04:33:05Z

Frank Farmer
Lots of ducks are present in the area. Fortunately, they are a reliable and accurate guide to the route on this trail.

Karen ... taking a picture!

2009-06-05T04:45:54Z

Frank Farmer
Karen ... taking a picture!

Clouds over peak on the Crystal Range

2009-06-05T21:49:01Z

Frank Farmer
Clouds over peak on the Crystal Range

Looming clouds

2009-06-05T04:36:11Z

Frank Farmer
Looming clouds

Looking west, as the shadows grow longer

2009-06-05T04:47:26Z

Frank Farmer
Looking west, as the shadows grow longer

Last view of open granite slopes, near Twin Lakes

2009-06-05T21:48:58Z

Frank Farmer
Last view of open granite slopes, near Twin Lakes

Lengthening shadows

2009-06-05T04:37:51Z

Frank Farmer
Lengthening shadows

Eric pauses at overlook to Wrights Lake

2009-06-05T04:39:02Z

Frank Farmer
Eric pauses at overlook to Wrights Lake

Impressive peaks

2009-06-05T04:47:00Z

Frank Farmer
Impressive peaks

Wrights Lake, Western Sierra Panorama, American River Watershed

2009-06-05T04:28:18Z

Frank Farmer
Wrights Lake, Western Sierra Panorama, American River Watershed

Reentering the forest

2009-06-05T04:32:37Z

Frank Farmer
Reentering the forest

Eric

2009-06-05T21:43:24Z

Frank Farmer
Eric

Karen

2009-06-05T05:15:23Z

Frank Farmer
Karen

Lisa

2009-06-05T21:38:13Z

Frank Farmer
Lisa

Easy hiking

2009-06-05T21:41:43Z

Frank Farmer
Easy hiking

Trail sign

2009-06-05T04:34:47Z

Frank Farmer
Trail sign