Big Five / Little Five Lakes Loop

Looking down Lost Canyon, I could see Mt. Langley on the Sierra Crest.

Up the Lost Canyon Headwall Switchbacks

Big 5, Little 5 Lakes Loop and Sawtooth Pass, August 4th to 7th, 2000.

At the switchbacks there some trees decorating the slope leading upward, and as I rose higher I could see a small camp or two with access to water. It was not a bad spot, and would get the morning light. The switchbacks were very well graded, and the hike was actually fairly pleasant for all the work. The view down canyon just improved by leaps and bounds, or slogs and turns of the switchbacks. The soil began to take a more yellow sulfur volcanic look in places, mixing with the gray granite gruss. I thought I saw faint use tracks leading to the cols to the north, but I was not sure. Certainly there are numerous cross-country routes in the area.
I obtained the crest overlooking Columbine Lake and I stopped to look east down the tree-studded slope to Lost Canyon, the Kern trench, and the Sierra Crest and Mt. Langley in the distance. It was quite a sight. It was a classic clear and sunny Sierra day, without a trace of the smoke of the day before.