With a good forecast and diminishing winds it seemed like a loop up to Harrison Pass from Lake S. America to have a go at Gregory's Monument - Stanford was just the ticket. What the forecast didn't get right was the winds. A 2 day blow came along just as I arrived in the barren open upper basin. The temps were cold made even more so by the strong gusty winds. I bailed for the JMT and a trip to Forester Pass. Then the weather self corrected and it got warm and calm. Go figure. All in all a rather disappointing way to end the season. I really missed doing a real climb. Once I was out, the skies remained clear but the winds returned. Was hoping to enjoy some cowboy camping up on the Gorge Road. Got one calm day. By the night of the 9th, my last night in California, the winds were roaring and Bishop was enveloped in one big dust storm.
BACKPACKERS ARRIVING AT FORESTER PASS
LATE SEASON SNOWFIELD AT SHEPHERD PASS
LATE AFTERNOON VIEW LOOKING DOWN SHEPHERD PASS
SNOW STILL MELTING ON THE SHEPHERD PASS TRAIL
THE POTHOLE ON THE SHEPHERD PASS TRAIL
THE POTHOLE ON THE SHEPHERD PASS TRAIL
HIKER DESCENDING FROM AN ATTEMPT ON WILLIAMSON
SUNRISE DAY 5 FROM THE SHEPHERD PASS TRAIL
SWITCHBACKS BELOW ANVIL CAMP, SHEPHERD PASS TRAIL
MOUNTAIN MAHOGANY
DESCENDING TO THE LOW POINT BEFORE THE 600 FT GAIN, SHEPHERD PASS TRAIL
SOME KIND OF FIR CONE
DESCENDING INTO SYMMES CREEK
THE NARROW SYMMES CREEK CANYON NEAR THE END OF THE SHEPHERD PASS TRAIL