Circle the Cirque Crest

This is looking downstream from the "doorway", from our resting spot along the Kings River. Once again Yosemite Valley comes to mind looking at this vista. You can see some wood somebody collected just ahead, and an old fire-pit barely recognizable as such was also in the area. If you HAD to do this hike, this would be a good place to stay for the first night. There are very few good places to camp in the Muro Blanco, and it is a long way to the next suitable spot.

"The Doorway"

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

Progress was excruciatingly slow, but it was made, and finally we were at the large granite doorway we had seen so far above near Cartridge Pass. When we passed through in a fairly passable forest, and on the other side of the "door" the route forced us to cross the river yet again and into a pleasant open granite decked area, where we dropped our packs to sit down for a snack. It was at these times we were able to actually examine the spectacular scenery close at hand. John Muir would of called the place a "yosemite" with a small 'y'. The pure granite vertical walls soared upward for a thousand feet or more, and the canyon sheltered trees towered over the river. It was a beautiful spot, and I actually took some pictures before we resumed our load and pushed on.