After spending much of the winter diligently studying Steve Ropers cross country route that traverses the area I was ready to hit the trail. . . or off-trail as much of the route required.
Fortunately a three day window of time opened up on the way back from another trip in the northern Sierra this summer. . . So with permit in hand I was ready to leave from the Devils Postpile trailhead near Mammoth Lakes.
The first river crossing near Devils Postpile National Monument:
After climbing the 2,000 feet of switchbacks out of the valley I came across a huge stand of wilderflowers. Although it was a low snow year the creeks were still flowing which kept things colorful:
Soon I was leaving the trail at Superior Lake and heading up toward the first cross country pass. This is the view back on the climb up to Nancy Pass:
Unlike most of the backcountry there were no ducks on the route up to Nancy Pass. I was a little concerned that maybe I was going the wrong way, but finally I found some use trails at the top. This is the view of Nancy Pass on the climb up from Superior Lake:
The first close up view of Minarets (to the north) from the top of Nancy Pass:
The meadows, creeks, waterfalls and wildflowers made for a nice stroll below Deadhorse Lake on the way to Minaret Lake. . . and I ran into this deer on the shore of Minaret Lake:
Looking back at Minaret Lake on the way up to Cecile Lake:
The Minarets and a unique perspective of Mt. Ritter and Banner Peak from camp on Cecile Lake:
Sunrise on the Minarets:
Cecile Lake and the Minarets:
The next day I headed over the easy boulders along the east and finally north shore of Cecile Lake and toward the outlet creek and waterfall. More in the next 'installment'.
If you're interested in more detailed photos, maps and a few alternate routes along the way I did a trip report here:
