Brewer Basin in Kings Canyon

Just before the last section of continuos talus we had a short rest. Looking back as seen above, we could see the Sphinx Crest and the lakes that were scattered along our route. In the distance you can see the Monarch Divide, which is above Kings Canyon.

A Short Rest

At the level area (11852 feet) half way through this difficult section we stopped for lunch and water and a long rest. We were getting tired. The next section had larger talus, but the heavy previous winter had left a gift behind. There was belt of sun-cupped snow at the low point on the way upward almost all the way to the top.

The last stretch of talus to get to the pass. The scale is hard to see, except to say the big rectangular block at the bottom of the snow field on the right is about 8x4 feet thick.

Of the two of us, I am the most comfortable with steep snow, and once on this white carpet, I found it an easy task of pounding steps upward in the sun-cups. Eventually the snow came to an end and it was only a short talus scramble upward and over the pass (12057), where we threw down our packs to eat, drink, take pictures, but mostly rest.