Kern-Kaweah and Kaweah Basins

Early morning over Colby Lake. To the left of the peak on the left center horizon is Colby Pass.

Breaking Camp at Colby Lake

Kern-Kaweah and Kaweah Basins via Colby Pass, September, 2000.

A glorious clear and sunny morning!
Ok, the day before was not without incident. Some time after noon a group arrived and they had an unrealistic unbendable schedule. While the weather threatened to clear some, and in the evening we actually got alpen-glow on the higher peaks, the pass still was socked in. The group decided to push on while we watched with interest to see where the trail actually went beyond our camp. Soon after it began to rain again and we wondered how they fared because we never saw them again. I am glad we chose not to push on because the way things turned out, I probably would of never of got a single decent photograph from Colby Pass and that would have been a crime.

Waiting for the sun to dry out out our things. Note the frozen pools of water.

But our morning this day: fantastic! Where water pooled up there was now thick ice. No matter because as soon as the sun hit it was more than warm enough to melt ice and warm us up. After a quick breakfast we did our best to make the Sierra and lake look like a yard sale. Near camp was a nice fairly level expanse of smooth clean granite with an occasional erratic that was just perfect for laying out our damp gear for drying. By the time we had completed the morning chores, our things were well on their way to being completely dry. Meanwhile we were finally able to really enjoy the lake and surroundings and take a few pictures. The water was a Sierra mirror that reflected the morning light off the high peaks above the lake. The calm waters were the crystal clear blue-green you only see in the High Sierra. The trees and rocks were the perfect compliment to the mirror waters of Colby Lake.
As we packed our things I was really looking forward to Colby Pass. I was in great shape and I had plenty of rest, that was for sure, so I was ready for anything. After I hid my broken chair nearby, we were ready to go.