Brewer Basin in Kings Canyon

Mt. Brewer Day turned out sunny and warm. The bowl of Big Brewer Lake dropped behind us as we ascended the basin towards the peak above.

Mt. Brewer Day!

23 Sept., Day 5, Mt. Brewer
The day dawned clear and sunny, and with us both well rested. We ate and cleaned up quickly in the morning cold, and while the temperature shot upward when the sun crested the peaks, we prepared small packs for the trek up the mountain. After double-checking everything, we crossed the pleasant outlet to visit our neighbors, who happen to be along our march route. We found them making ready for their departure, packing bags and putting on sun block. One guy had on a full sized pack that appeared to be full and more than five times the bulk of what we were carrying, a real contrast to our small fanny packs. Dave asked for another pill for his hip pain while behind him out of eyesight I signaled for 3 or 4 more pills if they could spare them. Dave's hip had been a real bother to him this trip and I wanted him to get some relief.
We were soon retracing our steps around the lake expecting the neighbors to soon follow. The way was much easier without packs and a good knowledge of the lay of the land. I knew the way exactly from experience and from studying it from the lakeshore, which was over ground and a route that was as good as a trail. As we climbed upward breaking out of trees and between bush near the lake inlet, we began the upward climb over glacier polished granite and scattered erratic in easy class 1 terrain.