Circle the Cirque Crest

Lake Basin. Below, lake 10,592, and beyond, lake 10,632 (7.5), or "L Lake" as I call it. To the far left, the Cartridge Pass area. Classic timberline country.

Below Dumbbell Pass

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

We veered towards Dumbbell Pass, avoiding cliffs and gullies whenever possible, until hunger forced us to stop near a large open rolling meadowed drainage with a number of interesting flowers. Every day had been clearer and sunnier with fewer clouds every day, and it was warm at times whenever a cool breeze was not blowing. Wind and breezes had been a problem in the evening, sometimes with cold unrelenting wind coming off lakes forcing us into down coats, but the weather improved day by day after the storm, finally returning to what I thought of as "normal" weather for the Sierra.

Looking towards Cartridge Pass. Note the step-like nature of the basin so common for valleys where glaciers have been.

We moved on to the large cliff above the northern-most lake we snacked at that morning, and enjoyed the great view of the basin. It was near here Steve Roper took a picture of the basin near sunset, and published it with a story. Perhaps he had just come over nearby Dumbbell Pass, or perhaps he had camped nearby. Certainly there were many camping opportunities in the area. A great spot.