A high quality loop starting at Piute Pass going north to Granite Park, over Italy Pass, thru Bear Lakes and up to Feather Pass where I made a quick trip up the SW Ridge of Feather. I then continued down to a shoulder above Merriam Lake where I spent my 5th night. Very early start the next day got me down to French Canyon before the bugs woke up. From there it was a race back up Piute Creek to get above treeline and the swarms of mosquitos. I spent the last night just west of the pass listening to the coyotes all over the valley. Perfect weather. Only saw four people - all at Feather Pass.
AFTER THE SNOW CAME MORE EASY WALKING ON SLABS
THE SW RIDGE OF FEATHER PEAK FROM THE PASS
LOOKING DOWN AT FEATHER PASS
QUALITY ROCK ON THE SW RIDGE OF FEATHER PEAK
SUMMIT RIDGE OF FEATHER PEAK
LOOKING DOWN THE SW RIDGE OF FEATHER PEAK
THE FINAL SECTION OF THE SW RIDGE
SUMMIT VIEW TO THE NORTHWEST
BEAR LAKES BASIN FROM THE SUMMIT OF FEATHER PEAK
ROYCE LAKES AND CO CO LA FROM THE SUMMIT
STARTING BACK DOWN
LAST OF THE NICE ROCK BEFORE GETTING BACK DOWN TO THE PASS
THE LAST SECTION OF THE DESCENT TO THE PASS
HIGH ROUTE HIKERS AT THE PASS
LASALLE LAKE FROM FEATHER PASS
LASALLE LAKE FROM FEATHER PASS
LOOKING UP AT FEATHER PASS FROM LA SALLE LAKE
FOLLOWING THE OUTLET STREAM FROM LA SALLE LAKE
PEACEFULL TERRAIN BETWEEN LA SALLE LAKE AND MERRIAM LAKE
LOOKING BACK UP VALLEY TO FEATHER PASS
MERRIAM LAKE FROM MY CAMPSITE
FEATHER PEAK AND PASS HILLSIDE ABOVE MERRIAM LAKE
CAMPSITE ABOVE MERRIAM LAKE
SOUTH TO GLACIER DIVIDE
LATE DAY VIEW OF ROYCE AND MERRIAM
LATE DAY VIEW OF HUMPHREYS
SUNRISE ABOVE MERRIAM LAKE
WALKING ALONG THE SHORELINE OF MERRIAM LAKE AT SUNRISE
DOWN STREAM FROM MERRIAM LAKE
CARPETS OF THESE FLOWERING PLANTS WERE EVERYWHERE
DESCENDING FROM MERRIAM LAKE TO FRENCH CANYON