Big Pine Lakes 2021
Second Lake to Contact Pass pond
Sunday, August 29, 2021
Index <<Previous Next>>
One
of the tougher days of the trip, all off-trail with our full
packs. We took our time since we had plenty. We took a
large talus field right below the very top slope to the pass, it
probably would have been better to stick nearer Temple Crag here.
There was a pretty good use trail on the top slope to the pass.
Downhill side not too bad until a talus field with very large blocks
just before reaching the pond. Surprised to find numerous
campsites on the hill next to the pond!
Journal Entry: Lots of folks around and a dog barking this morning. Started hiking at 8:30 after a warm night that didn’t dip below 50F. Crossed talus after a nice trail, then up and up, avoiding some of the talus and following a sand use trail. Met a climber coming down. Got to the pass at 1:00 or so. Awesome views into the south fork! More scree trails and talus down to a small pond at 11,100ft. Found campsite on top of a small hill east of the pond, with awesome view back to the pass and down valley! Tomorrow’s goal is Finger Lake.
 Temple Crag over creek |
 Second Lake from above south shore |
 Temple Crag with Ron |  Temple Crag above |
 gully heading up toward pass |  Temple Crag looming above |
 Third Lake far below |  top part of Contact Pass above |
 top part of Contact Pass above |  Cloudripper and Sky Haven over Third and Second Lakes |
 Alpine Gold (Hulsea Algida) |  Mountain Sorrel (Oxyria Digyna) |
 view down the pass |  Second and First Lakes from Contact Pass |
 Middle Palisade and Palisade Crest over Elinore Lake |  Birch Mtn, The Thumb, Middle Palisade |
 Mountain Coyote Mint OR Mountain Pennyroyal (Monardella Odoratissima) |  Middle Palisade and Palisade Crest, Mt. Jepson |
 looking back up the pass |  Middle Palisade above |
 Middle Palisade over the pond |  Contact Pass over the pond |
 South Fork valley stretching below | |