Mono Pass 2004

Wanderer waiting for the pot to boil. We stayed in the walk-in campground at Mosquito Flat. Who would show up to go on our hike to the Pioneer Basin?

2009-06-05T04:54:17Z

Frank Farmer
Wanderer waiting for the pot to boil. We stayed in the walk-in campground at Mosquito Flat. Who would show up to go on our hike to the Pioneer Basin?

Tiocampo ... Glad to be here ... hoping for a big turnout!

2009-07-20T02:00:14Z

Frank Farmer
Tiocampo ... Glad to be here ... hoping for a big turnout!

Wanderer's tent (left) and Tiocampo's tent

2009-07-20T02:25:56Z

Frank Farmer
Wanderer's tent (left) and Tiocampo's tent

Gear and food stashed. In case the rogue ursine custom inspectors show up

2009-06-05T04:46:34Z

Frank Farmer
Gear and food stashed. In case the rogue ursine custom inspectors show up

Wanderer's car, the White Land Cruiser, shortly before sunset on Friday night. Would any other vehicles arrive, to join this one?

2009-07-20T01:56:35Z

Frank Farmer
Wanderer's car, the White Land Cruiser, shortly before sunset on Friday night. Would any other vehicles arrive, to join this one?

Saturday morning ... WLD and JDSmiling are here! In the red Cherokee, to the right of the Land Cruiser.

2009-07-20T02:07:13Z

Frank Farmer
Saturday morning ... WLD and JDSmiling are here! In the red Cherokee, to the right of the Land Cruiser.

WLD is here!

2009-07-20T04:37:29Z

Frank Farmer
WLD is here!

Wanderer, WLD, and Tiocampo. By now, we have had a wonderful breakfast at the Rock Creek Lodge, and are making final preparations for the hike. Just before this picture, however, we got some ...

2009-07-20T03:25:13Z

Frank Farmer
Wanderer, WLD, and Tiocampo. By now, we have had a wonderful breakfast at the Rock Creek Lodge, and are making final preparations for the hike. Just before this picture, however, we got some ...

WLD and Magellanot

2009-07-20T02:19:28Z

Frank Farmer
WLD and Magellanot

Our hiking party ... Tiocampo, Wanderer, and Magellanot

2009-06-05T04:50:37Z

Frank Farmer
Our hiking party ... Tiocampo, Wanderer, and Magellanot

Our hiking party ... Tiocampo, Wanderer, and Magellanot

2009-07-20T04:15:54Z

Frank Farmer
Our hiking party ... Tiocampo, Wanderer, and Magellanot

Tiocampo at the wilderness boundary

2009-07-20T03:49:51Z

Frank Farmer
Tiocampo at the wilderness boundary

Bear Creek Spire. The magnificent peak, at the head of Little Lakes Valley. We are concerned about the rapidly accumulating cloud cover. It is still early in the day, and they are zooming in ...

2009-07-20T02:20:03Z

Frank Farmer
Bear Creek Spire. The magnificent peak, at the head of Little Lakes Valley. We are concerned about the rapidly accumulating cloud cover. It is still early in the day, and they are zooming in ...

Heart Lake

2009-07-20T02:22:41Z

Frank Farmer
Heart Lake

Wanderer and Magellanot ahead on the trail. I am a notoriously slow hiker, and this is the usual view I have of my trip companions. It doesn't bother me!

2009-07-20T02:30:16Z

Frank Farmer
Wanderer and Magellanot ahead on the trail. I am a notoriously slow hiker, and this is the usual view I have of my trip companions. It doesn't bother me!

The clouds are zooming in!

2009-07-20T02:42:13Z

Frank Farmer
The clouds are zooming in!

Wanderer shooting a photo

2009-07-20T02:57:44Z

Frank Farmer
Wanderer shooting a photo

Magellanot waiting at the Ruby Lake junction. This is the last place to get water, before starting the switchbacks up to Mono Pass.

2009-07-20T02:31:56Z

Frank Farmer
Magellanot waiting at the Ruby Lake junction. This is the last place to get water, before starting the switchbacks up to Mono Pass.

Magellanot and Wanderer

2009-07-20T02:52:25Z

Frank Farmer
Magellanot and Wanderer

Mount Dade and Mount Abbot. Look at the clouds!

2009-07-20T04:21:48Z

Frank Farmer
Mount Dade and Mount Abbot. Look at the clouds!

Peak above Chickenfoot Lake

2009-07-20T03:33:55Z

Frank Farmer
Peak above Chickenfoot Lake

Ruby Lake, Mount Mills

2009-07-20T02:27:23Z

Frank Farmer
Ruby Lake, Mount Mills

Wanderer climbing the switchbacks

2009-07-20T02:36:53Z

Frank Farmer
Wanderer climbing the switchbacks

Concentrating on the trail

2009-07-20T02:23:24Z

Frank Farmer
Concentrating on the trail

Pausing.

2009-07-20T02:40:17Z

Frank Farmer
Pausing.

Pausing.

2009-07-20T03:43:39Z

Frank Farmer
Pausing.

Wanderer and Magellanot

2009-07-20T03:18:39Z

Frank Farmer
Wanderer and Magellanot

Looking ahead to Mono Pass. The weather looks very forboding. We are concerned about lightning, but have not heard any in our immediate area. There has been some in the distance. Let's see h ...

2009-07-20T02:37:10Z

Frank Farmer
Looking ahead to Mono Pass. The weather looks very forboding. We are concerned about lightning, but have not heard any in our immediate area. There has been some in the distance. Let's see h ...

Crossing a snow field below Mono Pass

2009-07-20T02:55:05Z

Frank Farmer
Crossing a snow field below Mono Pass

Crossing a snow field below Mono Pass

2009-07-20T01:50:02Z

Frank Farmer
Crossing a snow field below Mono Pass

On the snow field. Magellanot had not had much experience at snow hiking, and expressed some misgivings at first. He did great!!!

2009-07-20T02:49:15Z

Frank Farmer
On the snow field. Magellanot had not had much experience at snow hiking, and expressed some misgivings at first. He did great!!!

A hiker from Germany overtaking me on the snow slope

2009-07-20T02:54:48Z

Frank Farmer
A hiker from Germany overtaking me on the snow slope

A hiker from Germany overtaking me on the snow slope, with peaks in the background.

2009-07-20T05:28:43Z

Frank Farmer
A hiker from Germany overtaking me on the snow slope, with peaks in the background.

Tiocampo, courtesy of Magellanot.

2009-07-20T02:16:40Z

Frank Farmer
Tiocampo, courtesy of Magellanot.

Magellanot, Wanderer, and Tiocampo, below Mono Pass. The German hiker was kind enough to take our picture.

2009-07-20T02:36:56Z

Frank Farmer
Magellanot, Wanderer, and Tiocampo, below Mono Pass. The German hiker was kind enough to take our picture.

Tiocampo and Magellanot. Photo taken by Wanderer, courtesy of Magellanot.

2009-07-20T05:21:13Z

Frank Farmer
Tiocampo and Magellanot. Photo taken by Wanderer, courtesy of Magellanot.

The pass beckons! We are pretty high, but we aren't there yet!!!

2009-07-20T02:57:28Z

Frank Farmer
The pass beckons! We are pretty high, but we aren't there yet!!!

Looking back the way we came. The clouds really seem to be closing in ...

2009-07-20T02:24:59Z

Frank Farmer
Looking back the way we came. The clouds really seem to be closing in ...

Heading over the Pass

2009-07-20T01:56:45Z

Frank Farmer
Heading over the Pass

Passing by Mount Starr. Snow Nymph, CalHiker, and some other folks climbed this peak a couple of weeks previously.

2009-07-20T02:57:06Z

Frank Farmer
Passing by Mount Starr. Snow Nymph, CalHiker, and some other folks climbed this peak a couple of weeks previously.

At the pass, another look back the way we came up.

2009-07-20T04:15:28Z

Frank Farmer
At the pass, another look back the way we came up.

Hiking on ... Dark clouds are overhead, but it hasn't rained on us yet, and there is no sign of lightning.

2009-07-20T02:22:30Z

Frank Farmer
Hiking on ... Dark clouds are overhead, but it hasn't rained on us yet, and there is no sign of lightning.

Moving on ...

2009-07-20T01:51:57Z

Frank Farmer
Moving on ...

Mount Starr

2009-07-20T01:38:21Z

Frank Farmer
Mount Starr

Still higher

2009-07-20T02:14:52Z

Frank Farmer
Still higher

Magellanot and Wanderer. The flat ridge of Peak 12256 is behind, to Magellanot's right.

2009-07-20T01:56:57Z

Frank Farmer
Magellanot and Wanderer. The flat ridge of Peak 12256 is behind, to Magellanot's right.

Checking the map.

2009-07-20T02:29:55Z

Frank Farmer
Checking the map.

Hiking to Summit Lake

2009-07-20T02:17:52Z

Frank Farmer
Hiking to Summit Lake

Hiking to Summit Lake

2009-07-20T01:50:17Z

Frank Farmer
Hiking to Summit Lake

Snow field on Mount Starr's flank. Was that snow track from Snow Nymph's glissade

2009-06-05T04:45:39Z

Frank Farmer
Snow field on Mount Starr's flank. Was that snow track from Snow Nymph's glissade

Approaching Summit Lake. Hey, it's raining off in the distance! But not over us!!!

2009-07-20T02:43:44Z

Frank Farmer
Approaching Summit Lake. Hey, it's raining off in the distance! But not over us!!!

Tiocampo near Mono Pass

2009-07-20T02:27:20Z

Frank Farmer
Tiocampo near Mono Pass

Looking back to Mono Pass. It's pretty, but we don't want to stick around up here.

2009-07-20T05:13:46Z

Frank Farmer
Looking back to Mono Pass. It's pretty, but we don't want to stick around up here.

We met this gentleman, waiting for the others in his party to catch up. His group climbed up from the Mono Recesses direction.

2009-07-20T05:03:55Z

Frank Farmer
We met this gentleman, waiting for the others in his party to catch up. His group climbed up from the Mono Recesses direction.

Our first view of Pioneer Basin! It is bounded in by the peaks in the center left. It's raining over there!

2009-06-05T05:18:12Z

Frank Farmer
Our first view of Pioneer Basin! It is bounded in by the peaks in the center left. It's raining over there!

At the point where the trail takes off over the ridge. You do not want to be pulled down the drainage path, to Golden Lake, straight ahead ... unless that's where you want to go!!! We had be ...

2009-07-20T04:56:11Z

Frank Farmer
At the point where the trail takes off over the ridge. You do not want to be pulled down the drainage path, to Golden Lake, straight ahead ... unless that's where you want to go!!! We had be ...

Closer view of Pioneer Basin. It's raining over there! It's about 1:00 pm.

2009-07-20T04:45:00Z

Frank Farmer
Closer view of Pioneer Basin. It's raining over there! It's about 1:00 pm.

Wanderer taking a picture of Pioneer Basin. The ridges separating the Fourth and Third Mono Recesses are in the distance, behind Wanderer.

2009-07-20T05:13:45Z

Frank Farmer
Wanderer taking a picture of Pioneer Basin. The ridges separating the Fourth and Third Mono Recesses are in the distance, behind Wanderer.

Dropping out of the Mono Pass basin and into the basin holding Trail Lakes.

2009-07-20T05:07:31Z

Frank Farmer
Dropping out of the Mono Pass basin and into the basin holding Trail Lakes.

Magnificent, unnamed peak, above Trail Lakes and Neele Lake

2009-07-20T05:51:12Z

Frank Farmer
Magnificent, unnamed peak, above Trail Lakes and Neele Lake

Mono Creek Canyon. It was raining heavily in that direction, and seemed to be heading our way. We need to descend, and fast!

2009-07-20T04:26:55Z

Frank Farmer
Mono Creek Canyon. It was raining heavily in that direction, and seemed to be heading our way. We need to descend, and fast!

Another view of Pioneer Basin, from across upper Mono Creek

2009-07-20T05:41:57Z

Frank Farmer
Another view of Pioneer Basin, from across upper Mono Creek

Flecks of blue sky here and there

2009-06-05T05:35:51Z

Frank Farmer
Flecks of blue sky here and there

That magnificent, unnamed peak again! As JimRPdx once asked about a certain beautiful but unnamed peak above Portal Lake ... How can such a peak have escaped being named?

2009-07-20T05:16:30Z

Frank Farmer
That magnificent, unnamed peak again! As JimRPdx once asked about a certain beautiful but unnamed peak above Portal Lake ... How can such a peak have escaped being named?

Magellanot's tent (left) and Wanderer's tent, at Upper Trail Lake. By this time, we have bonked out, due to skipping lunch while descending Mono Pass. It is raining slightly, and we are dead ...

2009-07-20T05:12:40Z

Frank Farmer
Magellanot's tent (left) and Wanderer's tent, at Upper Trail Lake. By this time, we have bonked out, due to skipping lunch while descending Mono Pass. It is raining slightly, and we are dead ...

Tiocampo's tent, at Upper Trail Lake. I brought my Sling Light Chair! It was a wonderful place to sit and nap, while watching the rain try to approach.

2009-07-20T04:33:14Z

Frank Farmer
Tiocampo's tent, at Upper Trail Lake. I brought my Sling Light Chair! It was a wonderful place to sit and nap, while watching the rain try to approach.

Snow survey shelter, at Upper Trail Lake

2009-07-20T05:29:23Z

Frank Farmer
Snow survey shelter, at Upper Trail Lake

Side view of Snow Survey shelter

2009-07-20T04:58:14Z

Frank Farmer
Side view of Snow Survey shelter

The builder's byline

2009-07-20T05:25:14Z

Frank Farmer
The builder's byline

The sign speaks for itself! Don't mess with this shelter ... it's against the law, and someone's life may depend on it!

2009-07-20T04:57:30Z

Frank Farmer
The sign speaks for itself! Don't mess with this shelter ... it's against the law, and someone's life may depend on it!

Roche Moutonee and pine tree near Tiocampo's tent at Upper Trail Lake

2009-07-20T04:43:56Z

Frank Farmer
Roche Moutonee and pine tree near Tiocampo's tent at Upper Trail Lake

Pioneer Basin, from near our campsite. Reaching the basin involves another 1000 feet of descent and about 800 feet of ascent, in about four more miles. We decide to skip it for today ... may ...

2009-07-20T05:02:40Z

Frank Farmer
Pioneer Basin, from near our campsite. Reaching the basin involves another 1000 feet of descent and about 800 feet of ascent, in about four more miles. We decide to skip it for today ... may ...

Mono Creek Canyon, near our campsite

2009-07-20T05:36:07Z

Frank Farmer
Mono Creek Canyon, near our campsite

Unnamed Peak, above Lower Trail Lake. A large group of climbers had a base camp very close to us. We didn't care, neither did they, and everyone was very respectful of the space.

2009-07-20T06:05:40Z

Frank Farmer
Unnamed Peak, above Lower Trail Lake. A large group of climbers had a base camp very close to us. We didn't care, neither did they, and everyone was very respectful of the space.

Grassy basin, in hanging valley above Mono Creek Canyon. Mount Hopkins, above Pioneer Basin, is in the distance at the right.

2009-07-20T04:39:44Z

Frank Farmer
Grassy basin, in hanging valley above Mono Creek Canyon. Mount Hopkins, above Pioneer Basin, is in the distance at the right.

Climber at the top of the ridge separating Trail Lakes Basin from the Fourth Recess. You would not catch me up there. I talked with one of his freinds later, who said it wasn't that hard. Do ...

2009-07-20T05:06:12Z

Frank Farmer
Climber at the top of the ridge separating Trail Lakes Basin from the Fourth Recess. You would not catch me up there. I talked with one of his freinds later, who said it wasn't that hard. Do ...

Moonset the next morning. The flash on my camera lighting up the safety reflector on my tent. That little thing can be very handy, if you need to find the tent in the dark! Oh yeah, what a b ...

2009-07-20T04:28:57Z

Frank Farmer
Moonset the next morning. The flash on my camera lighting up the safety reflector on my tent. That little thing can be very handy, if you need to find the tent in the dark! Oh yeah, what a b ...

Leaving Trail Lakes Basin. We have decided to head out and make it a one-night trip. Earlier, we considered a day-hike to Pioneer Basin, but then we realized that we had some scheduling conf ...

2009-07-20T04:39:14Z

Frank Farmer
Leaving Trail Lakes Basin. We have decided to head out and make it a one-night trip. Earlier, we considered a day-hike to Pioneer Basin, but then we realized that we had some scheduling conf ...

Snow Survey cabin at Upper Trail Lake. We camped near the cabin, behind it and to the right

2009-07-20T05:54:26Z

Frank Farmer
Snow Survey cabin at Upper Trail Lake. We camped near the cabin, behind it and to the right

Celebrating Fourth of July at Trail Lake

2009-07-20T02:14:32Z

Frank Farmer
Celebrating Fourth of July at Trail Lake

Pioneer Basin, from the ridge above Trail Lakes. Look how sunny it is! I bet those kids we hiked with yesterday are having a great time! If you were in that group and are reading this, drop ...

2009-06-05T05:31:15Z

Frank Farmer
Pioneer Basin, from the ridge above Trail Lakes. Look how sunny it is! I bet those kids we hiked with yesterday are having a great time! If you were in that group and are reading this, drop ...

Pioneer Basin, above Mono Creek Canyon. A classic Sierra hanging valley.

2009-07-20T04:18:50Z

Frank Farmer
Pioneer Basin, above Mono Creek Canyon. A classic Sierra hanging valley.

Mono Creek Canyon. If you proceed down the canyon, you will reach the John Muir Trail. Look both ways before you cross!

2009-07-20T05:15:26Z

Frank Farmer
Mono Creek Canyon. If you proceed down the canyon, you will reach the John Muir Trail. Look both ways before you cross!

Our magnificent unnamed peak, above Trail Lakes

2009-07-20T04:49:24Z

Frank Farmer
Our magnificent unnamed peak, above Trail Lakes

Ridge separating Trail Lakes Basin from the Fourth Recess.

2009-07-20T05:25:31Z

Frank Farmer
Ridge separating Trail Lakes Basin from the Fourth Recess.

Mono Rock, above Mono Creek Canyon

2009-07-20T05:11:21Z

Frank Farmer
Mono Rock, above Mono Creek Canyon

Magellanot and Wanderer ... Taking a break as we hike over the ridge

2009-07-20T05:00:52Z

Frank Farmer
Magellanot and Wanderer ... Taking a break as we hike over the ridge

Peak 12256 ... Remember how it looked yesterday, in the rain?!!!?

2009-07-20T04:38:23Z

Frank Farmer
Peak 12256 ... Remember how it looked yesterday, in the rain?!!!?

Hiking friends, still taking a break

2009-07-20T05:01:38Z

Frank Farmer
Hiking friends, still taking a break

Approaching Summit Lake

2009-07-20T05:33:54Z

Frank Farmer
Approaching Summit Lake

Summit Lake and Mono Pass

2009-07-20T04:16:21Z

Frank Farmer
Summit Lake and Mono Pass

Wanderer, at Summit Lake. We decided to pump some water here, since it was so pleasant (and safe!) This would last us for the rest of the hike, just a few miles and 2000 feet down.

2009-07-20T04:44:09Z

Frank Farmer
Wanderer, at Summit Lake. We decided to pump some water here, since it was so pleasant (and safe!) This would last us for the rest of the hike, just a few miles and 2000 feet down.

Looking back at Summit Lake

2009-07-20T04:40:10Z

Frank Farmer
Looking back at Summit Lake

Magellanot and Wanderer, approaching Mono Pass

2009-07-20T04:58:11Z

Frank Farmer
Magellanot and Wanderer, approaching Mono Pass

Looking back to see where we've been

2009-07-20T04:58:54Z

Frank Farmer
Looking back to see where we've been

Summit Lake and Peak 12256

2009-07-20T05:04:48Z

Frank Farmer
Summit Lake and Peak 12256

Wanderer, skirting the snow field below Mono Pass.

2009-07-20T05:15:06Z

Frank Farmer
Wanderer, skirting the snow field below Mono Pass.

Mono Pass

2009-07-20T04:58:55Z

Frank Farmer
Mono Pass

Snow field ... it's not as steep as it looks. You have a choice of the route ... snow or sand and rock ... either one is OK

2009-06-05T05:25:04Z

Frank Farmer
Snow field ... it's not as steep as it looks. You have a choice of the route ... snow or sand and rock ... either one is OK

Wanderer shooting a photo

2009-07-20T04:46:54Z

Frank Farmer
Wanderer shooting a photo