The start of our journey
One of many bridges we would cross.
Rio Mortal!
Despite many bridges, logs would be used more often than not to cross overflowing streams.
The Rae Lakes loop starts off nice and flat.
Thomas washing up.
Bridge heading towards Bubbs Creek Trail
Trail junction. We proceeded to the left to do the loop clock wise.
South Fork Kings River
Near Mist Falls. And the river was really flowing.
Dale rock climbing.
Along the trail above Mist Falls
We made it to the Upper Paradise campsite and now its time to eat!
Oreos stuck in the teeth.
A visitor to the campsite.
Warming the toes up.
Best seat in the house.
Burn it while ya got it!
Above the Upper Paradise camp site
Reflection on a pond.
Dale ready for day two.
Log jam on the river.
South Fork bridge, heading towards Woods Creek
Better view of the bridge
Taking in the sights.
A granite dome
Pinpointing our location
We encountered several strange cloud formations.
Woods Creek
Side stream that we had to cross
Yet another stream crossing
Trail heading up the valley
Random waterfall coming out of nowhere
Big lizard chilling on a rock
Castle Domes
Panoramic of Castle Domes
Strange pyramid shaped rock
Suspension bridge across Woods Creek
Thomas trying to cut the steel cables with his knife
Campsite at Woods Creek Crossing
Cozy fire
The bridge wobbles so only one person at a time
Rubber Boa that hid its head like an osterich
We did a side trip up the JMT to a waterslide like falls.
Deer looking surprised
Fresh bear track
We reached snow shortly before Baxter's Creek
Hiking up in snow is hard
Sliding down on snow is fun
Dale trying to plug the holes in his shoes. It didn't work.
More fresh bear tracks
Slowly gaining elevation
Thomas is tired
Ice axe war!
Gaiters were very useful in the deep snow
Looking back at the snow covered valley
Another "small" unmarked stream that we had to find a way to cross.
We found a place to cross the stream, but had to get the boots wet to do it.
More snow hiking fun
Boo to no campfires over 10k feet
There was no trail so we made it up as we went.
A frozen lake
Thomas taking in the view.
Dollar Lake
Fin Dome
Ice cave
Slippery
Fin Dome and frozen lakes
Everything was frozen
Tough work walking through snow
Almost to camp
Dirty boots
Painted Lady
Painted Lady and Rae Lakes
It was quite a sun set
Campsite
Getting geared up for Glen Pass
I didn't mean to match
Rae Lakes and Painted Lady
Rae Lakes and Fin Dome
On the trail
Heading up
We had to do switchbacks up the snow
Lots and lots of snow
Lake at the foot of Glen Pass
Thomas taking a break
Dale ready for battle
Sixty Lakes basin viewed from what we thought was Glen Pass. We were wrong.
Back down to Rae Lakes
We didn't think we'd see Fin Dome again
We spent the night playing 31.
The next day, we decided to try and hike the 25 miles down and out of the park.
Snow blocking us from going where we want to go.
Dale fell and busted up his finger. We created a bandage with gauze and athletic tape.
Baxter Creek
A typical stream crossing (where the snow covered most of the stream)
Snow melt overtook the trail
Streams pouring out of the mountains.
Strange deer that peed in front of us for about 2 minutes.
The streams were swollen with snow melt and we were no longer able to cross. We ended up finding an alternate route.
Barely visible, Dale is on the log.
Damn you stream!
Western Rattlesnake
I used a stick to move it out of the way.
Mossy stream
Fungi
The water was three feet higher than when we crossed the creek three days prior.
Tiny wildflowers
Another log bridge
Deer that was probably looking for handouts.
The only bear we saw
Dale looking over his shoulder to make sure the bear isn't following us.