Circle the Cirque Crest

Granite Lake is a large lake with at best average camp sites. There are better camps elsewhere in the basin such as back along the trail coming to the lake, or near the other lakes lower in the basin. Still, a good Sierra destination, worthy of the long hike it takes to get to this basin and lake. Looking south here you can see part of Comb Spur.

Granite Lake

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

I couldn't decide on a camp, even after scouting to the NE side of the lake. Dave showed
up, and he also did some scouting, and after considerable discussion, we settled on a rocky dusty spot out of the now cold brisk endless wind. Something was brewing with the weather because the wind did not let up until after dark, and clouds were everywhere. After dinner, we went for a walk, and we were treated to one of the most spectacular sunsets I have ever seen anywhere. The dark purple clouds were all lit up with an intense fire red on the southern horizon, and alpenglow on the Great Western Divide just added to the effect. Afterwards we were treated to another hot humid night, even though we were over 10,000
feet. Something was up.