Moving towards the sun before it rises, over the Central Valley, up
the Canyons of the North,
Middle,
and
North-Fork-of-the-Middle Fork American River, past Deadwood and
Balloon Ridges,
to
French Meadows Reservoir, near the upper
Middle Fork American Canyon,
and
beyond to
Talbot Camp (jumping with more activity than seen heretofore in these parts) for the final full dayhike of the summer, to
Picayune Pass (the same destination as last week's jaunt via other direction from the Five Lakes Trailhead).
This time the
way begins as a classic
"old woods road" through what remains of
French Meadows -- this upper open drainage not drowned by a damming water barrier.
East, then
south, into the
greater Picayune Valley (oxymoron, indeed), crossing the energetic creek that is the upper Middle Fork American, followed by
three
granitic
uplands (views opening to the goal south [the pass is at left, three pictures up] and the canyon north, with
Marion Ridge west and
Granite Chief and associated prominences east),
alternating with
two
flower wildernesses (note the clarity of the trail and the stately
aspen).
Waterfalls,
montane chaparral,
a rock shelter, and at last the
upper valley (perhaps its compactness meriting the nomenclature) -- up, up to vistas of
Heavens Gate (the notch above center), Marion Peak (to the left),
Ridge snow, and
Cliffs.
The
Pass is as spectacular as last week, and safer,
with virtually clear skies (just a little cumuli Nevadawise), and a
360 panorama from the terminal
aerie.
The
mossy return back into the
Valley seems a bit easier than previous ones (the gradient has been simply lower to higher, rather than an altitudinal roller coaster), and driving back is a farewell to Mosquito Ridge Road, the scene of so many journeys in the past few years. Home for two more Animal Farm videos
(XVII. Platypusses and
XVIII. Kangaroos) and a check-in with Harriet. Tomorrow is the first day of the fall semester.
