Circle the Cirque Crest

There is a well defined trail with switchbacks to the left of where this picture was taken. That trail was made in 1935 by the Sierra Club for their outing, and is still in very good condition. Below is the pond and bench that is crossed to the right on the High Route. In the distance is the "yosemite" of the beautiful LeConte Canyon, and on the middle horizon is the jagged teeth of the mighty Palisades, the 14,000+ foot peaks of this region. To see a closer picture of the lower lake below, see the cover of this issue of Sierra Trails, and then you will know why I call that lake "The Lake at the Edge of Forever".

The High Lakes on the Brink

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

The trail passes below a small alpine lake at the outlet, climbs a small ridge and disappears again.

Once again we were met with spectacular views, this time of LeConte Canyon, one of my favorite spots in the Sierra, and of a bench below with a small pretty lake. We had to do some scouting to find the right route, which turned out to be a steep gully at the left low point below when you crest the ridge. We knew it was the right way when we reached the gully and found the trail again with convenient well used and well made switchbacks leading down to the lake. This is cross-country? We gleefully used this boon.

The trail faded away after we were clear of the switchbacks, and when we reached the small lovely lake and began to cross the bench, we found a fair campsite among the few but fairly tall trees.