After hitching from Lee Vining to Sonora Pass, Strider and I planned to knock out what we hoped would be the final stretch of challenging snow travel.
Sonora Pass still covered with snow
Home for the night
Morning view. Yes, the trekking pole is bent...the middle section snapped when it saved me from a fall in the snow.
Mountain lion tracks spotted
View above Sonora Pass
Ice chute crossing near the saddle
Purple and reddish rocks on this pass. There was also an herb that I only saw in this area that had an amazingly nice fragrance. Picked a little and put it in my chest pocket so I'd smell better.
A full day of snow travel over but at least it's getting easier to find a camp not covered in snow.
Beautiful raging waterfall still encased in snow as we start the second day out of Sonora.
Strider doing some trail work. This huge log was sitting on a rise about midway through and he was actually able to pivot it a few feet to clear the trail.
Still having to deal with snowbanks nearly 6 feet tall on the regular
Dropping into a snow bowl off a ridge to get to camp. We set up on one of the snow free knolls on the right side of this view.
Home on dry ground for the night
Up for sunrise and ready for another day of snow travel.
Came across the strange one lane road seemingly in the middle of nowhere through a high pass that had only dump truck traffic traveling it. Perhaps clearing snow above?
Aggregate rocky minarets dominated this area I passed through. Today was surprisingly light on snow.
A little rest and a selfie
The trail crossed where the slide tracks start at center left. The slope was extremely steep for sidehilling.
Alternate route down the ice chute involved a tough off trail climb up a willow covered mountainside
Eating dinner under a headnet to avoid the worst mosquitoes yet just after seeing the first black bear on the trail
Thanks to Loren for the blood-saving net
Another beautiful lake and reflection.
Wide open landscape on the trail to Carson Pass
Nerding out on geology and the blue and orange slate
Another snowy descent
The wildflowers were on full display though the snow made it hard for day hikers to get to
Snow traveler
Topping the snow field
Forest service visitor station at Carson Pass complete with trail magic.
Camp for the night anticipating a relaxing night in South Lake Tahoe the next day
A hard freeze overnight and a thigh-deep creek crossing made for a tough morning
Frozen lake above Tahoe
Crystal clear Lake Tahoe
South Lake Tahoe was very good to us hikers with Sports LTD, the local outfitter staying open late for us, and Base Camp Pizza covering most of our dinner tab.