http://www.stormdude.com/hab/backpacks/ ... rets1.html
http://www.stormdude.com/hab/backpacks/ ... rets2.html
After leaving the Devil's Postpile trailhead, it wasn't long before we were enjoying views of the Ritter Range:
![Image](http://www.stormdude.com/hab/backpacks/minarets/8-9-15d.jpg)
A pleasant night at Fern Lake, followed by a scenic cross-country trip to beautiful Ashley Lake for lunch.
![Image](http://www.stormdude.com/hab/backpacks/minarets/8-10-15c.jpg)
A bit of haze at Ashley Lake due to fires further south, but an incredible setting nonetheless:
![Image](http://www.stormdude.com/hab/backpacks/minarets/8-10-15f.jpg)
More cross-country to Superior Lake, all fairly straightforward, though with more obstacles then we're used to for our usual higher-elevation trips:
![Image](http://www.stormdude.com/hab/backpacks/minarets/8-10-15g.jpg)
The next morning we joined the Sierra High Route and began the most difficult part of the trip, cross-country over Nancy Pass:
![Image](http://www.stormdude.com/hab/backpacks/minarets/8-11-15a.jpg)
By staying left, we found a steep but simple route to the top, where we were treated with a magnificent view of the Minarets:
![Image](http://www.stormdude.com/hab/backpacks/minarets/8-11-15g.jpg)
Getting down the north side of the pass was a little more complicated, with a little high-end Class 2 and some exposure.
![Image](http://www.stormdude.com/hab/backpacks/minarets/8-11-15j.jpg)
After a relaxing lunch stop in a remote, pristine meadow, we spent several hours picking our way through the landscape towards Minaret Lake:
![Image](http://www.stormdude.com/hab/backpacks/minarets/8-11-15s.jpg)
The scenic rewards of the Minarets is truly exceptional...
![Image](http://www.stormdude.com/hab/backpacks/minarets/8-12-15c.jpg)
...and we spent most of the following day contemplating the beauty of the High Sierras from near our campsite:
![Image](http://www.stormdude.com/hab/backpacks/minarets/8-13-15c.jpg)
The next day we took a day hike up to Cecile Lake, using a Class 2 route near the outlet creek to avoid Roper's Class 3 slot on the Sierra High Route.
![Image](http://www.stormdude.com/hab/backpacks/minarets/8-13-15l.jpg)
Cecile Lake was barren and stunning:
![Image](http://www.stormdude.com/hab/backpacks/minarets/8-13-15m.jpg)
This photo best depicts our joy in hiking that day:
![Image](http://www.stormdude.com/hab/backpacks/minarets/8-13-15p2.jpg)
During our hike out on the sixth day, the scenery in early morning sunlight helped complete a terrific backpack. We loved the combination of High Sierra views, two days of challenging but not stressful cross-country trail finding, remote serene lakes and meadows, and the amazing scenery of Minaret and Cecile Lakes.
![Image](http://www.stormdude.com/hab/backpacks/minarets/8-14-15l2.jpg)
![Image](http://www.stormdude.com/hab/backpacks/minarets/8-14-15m.jpg)
I highly recommend this route for those who want a blend of everything that makes backpacking in the Sierras a great experience, but without the commitment of longer trips or multiple high passes.
Dave Chapman
http://www.stormdude.com/