8/31(Day 1): DP to Minaret Lake. Really just a dusty afternoon hike. We got a late start out of DP and didn't make it to ML until dark. However, our campsight was spectacular and the morning sunrise on the Minarets was phenomenal. 2 other people there, otherwise we had the place to ourselves.
9/1: Minaret Lake to 1000 Island Lake. Hiked from about 10:00 a.m. until 7:30 a.m. with plenty of rest stops. The Iceburg Lake snow traverse was OK, but hiking poles were really helpful. The highlight was crossing down Whitebark pass into Garnet Lake basin just as the sun was starting to set behind Banner. The wide shallow stream coming out of Banner was unique and something I hadn't seen before. About 2" deep, 30' wide, with 2-6" rocks meshed into a composite riverbed.
9/3: 1000 Island Lake to a valley above the lake at 3,100 meters. Glacier Pass(moderate snow ascent), Lake Catherine, Twin Island Lakes(the stream crossing wasn't an issue, only about 30" deep and slow). Out altimeter was off by about 200' and in the dark we walked right past the unnamed lake we were shooting for. Had a great campsight though with fantastic views due to our mistake. Other than our slight detour here, this was the only real route finding issues we experienced. A second time through this area would be much easier as it seems like Roper gives you just what you need but not what you want. 9/4: to Lyell Fork of the Merced. Another long day, through Bench Canyon(sublime), up to Blue Lakes, over Blue Lakes pass, through a wonderful meadow with a trout filled stream and down into the Lyell Canyon by way of headlamps.
9/5: Lyell Fork to TM:Total mileage approaching 20 miles by my estimation. Too much and my feet paid for it! Lewis Creek and the cascade from Forester Lake(??) is spectacular. Vogelsang to TM, dry and dusty!
Lots of time joking about Roper's "strolls", "gentle walks", and "scrambles". I guess for a world class mountaineer, his words are correct. For us, we rarely found much strolling, except the walk through Bench Canyon which may have been my personal highlight.
The waterfall into the solitary tarn below Lake Catherine was unreal.