Circle the Cirque Crest

Here you can see the rocky bench above the lake mentioned below. The Sierra High Route from here aims for the horizon right about for the fluffy cloud seen just above the trees. At the end of this lake the route curves right above the lake to the right of this lake following a very easy route to the ridge on the horizon.

Leaving Horseshoe Lakes

Circle The Cirque Crest - By D.W.Donehoo (All rights reserved)

Day 5. Wednesday, September 3. Then, a miracle. The day dawned warm and clear. There were clouds to the north, and a few clouds skittered overhead to toy with the sun, but overall it was sunny. After a quick breakfast, we scattered our gear 1/4 mile along the rocky bench above the lake, anywhere there was plenty of sun to dry our wet or damp gear. With clothes hanging in the trees, and pads, tents and bags decorating the rocks and slabs, it looked like a wilderness garage sale. Soon enough everything was dried out enough to pack up and prepare to leave. Ahead of us would be the very best day of hiking of the trip now along the Roper Sierra High Route. During the rain I scouted the approach route and knew exactly where to go without any loss of altitude. With the sun shining, well rested and recovered from the first three days of hard hiking and plenty of day ahead of us, we were off. The route follows the northern most lake upward on a ridge north of the lake in a NE direction, contouring above cliffs and the shallow valley north of the lake on a very easy class 1 route through open forest and broad benches. Eventually you see the destination ridge above which you contour to, sometimes hiking steeply to get to the top.