Palisades Backpacking July 14-17 2007

At Olmstead Point on the drive through Yosemite

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:53:56 -0700

Nathan Hoover
At Olmstead Point on the drive through Yosemite

Close up of Half Dome from Olmstead Point

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:53:32 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Close up of Half Dome from Olmstead Point

View of Tenaya Lake, Pywiack Dome, Medlicott Dome and Mt Conness in the background

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:54:20 -0700

Nathan Hoover
View of Tenaya Lake, Pywiack Dome, Medlicott Dome and Mt Conness in the background

Our new secret camping spot at 8000' near Deadman Summit

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:56:02 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Our new secret camping spot at 8000' near Deadman Summit

The luxury of cooking dinner before dark

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:55:00 -0700

Nathan Hoover
The luxury of cooking dinner before dark

Shrimp curry is especially yummy with Drakes IPA

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:55:40 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Shrimp curry is especially yummy with Drakes IPA

Double rainbow after sunset

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:54:40 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Double rainbow after sunset

Sunset show from camp

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:56:43 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Sunset show from camp

Sunday morning at the Big Pine Creek trailhead, 9 miles up from Big Pine. Elevation 7750'.

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:57:19 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Sunday morning at the Big Pine Creek trailhead, 9 miles up from Big Pine. Elevation 7750'.

Heading up the South Fork trail

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:57:57 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Heading up the South Fork trail

Water break

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:58:29 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Water break

The "Headwall" below Willow Lake - trail goes up the left side of the tallus

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:59:05 -0700

Nathan Hoover
The "Headwall" below Willow Lake - trail goes up the left side of the tallus

Starting up the "Headwall"

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:59:39 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Starting up the "Headwall"

Grace heading up

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 01:00:09 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Grace heading up

Steep switchbacks

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 01:00:42 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Steep switchbacks

From the top, we have the first view of Palisade Crest and Scimitar Pass

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 01:01:27 -0700

Nathan Hoover
From the top, we have the first view of Palisade Crest and Scimitar Pass

Close-up of Palisade Crest (Gandalf Peak) and the route from Scimitar Pass

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 01:01:05 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Close-up of Palisade Crest (Gandalf Peak) and the route from Scimitar Pass

After Willow Lake, we go cross country - steep and rough

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 01:02:05 -0700

Nathan Hoover
After Willow Lake, we go cross country - steep and rough

By 2:30 it's raining

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 01:02:33 -0700

Nathan Hoover
By 2:30 it's raining

Rain reduces the view

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 01:02:52 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Rain reduces the view

At our camp along the South Fork of Big Pine Creek, self portrait with Grace

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 01:03:15 -0700

Nathan Hoover
At our camp along the South Fork of Big Pine Creek, self portrait with Grace

Pre-dinner wine and snacks

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 01:03:45 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Pre-dinner wine and snacks

We're having pasta for dinner, so we have to have freshly grated parmesan cheese

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 01:04:13 -0700

Nathan Hoover
We're having pasta for dinner, so we have to have freshly grated parmesan cheese

Now that's a backpacking cheese grater if I ever saw one! Length about 2", works great.

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 01:04:29 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Now that's a backpacking cheese grater if I ever saw one! Length about 2", works great.

Evening light to the south, with a rainbow

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 01:04:49 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Evening light to the south, with a rainbow

Close up of the end of the rainbow

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 01:05:14 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Close up of the end of the rainbow

Spaghetti with clams - yummy

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 01:05:42 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Spaghetti with clams - yummy

Monday morning, Grace is a beauty queen

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 01:06:42 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Monday morning, Grace is a beauty queen

Vicky cooking breakfast

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 01:06:15 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Vicky cooking breakfast

Starting the 3 hour hike to Elinore Lake

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 01:07:18 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Starting the 3 hour hike to Elinore Lake

Heading up the South Fork of Big Pine Creek

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 01:07:57 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Heading up the South Fork of Big Pine Creek

Morning view of Palisade Crest

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 01:08:31 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Morning view of Palisade Crest

Palisade Crest with the Norman Clyde Glacier partly visible

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 01:09:03 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Palisade Crest with the Norman Clyde Glacier partly visible

Crossing over to the north side of the creek. The north side is mostly boulders but not much brush whereas the south side is rough with lots of brush.

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 01:09:37 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Crossing over to the north side of the creek. The north side is mostly boulders but not much brush whereas the south side is rough with lots of brush.

Mother and son with Mt Gayley 13510', in the background.

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 01:10:10 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Mother and son with Mt Gayley 13510', in the background.

Looking back down the canyon, our camp a bit out of sight.

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 01:10:36 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Looking back down the canyon, our camp a bit out of sight.

Hiking over boulders for days...

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 01:11:03 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Hiking over boulders for days...

The flowers are beautiful. Indian paintbrush, shooting stars, etc.

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 01:12:34 -0700

Nathan Hoover
The flowers are beautiful. Indian paintbrush, shooting stars, etc.

Here's the Indian Paintbrush

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 01:11:27 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Here's the Indian Paintbrush

And a Shooting Star

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 01:12:50 -0700

Nathan Hoover
And a Shooting Star

And another

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 01:11:49 -0700

Nathan Hoover
And another

After 3 hours of climbing, we make it to Elinore Lake, 10,990', base camp for climbing Palisade Crest.

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 01:13:20 -0700

Nathan Hoover
After 3 hours of climbing, we make it to Elinore Lake, 10,990', base camp for climbing Palisade Crest.

Instead of climbing higher, we decide to enjoy a peaceful afternoon. No one else is anywhere near.

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 01:13:54 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Instead of climbing higher, we decide to enjoy a peaceful afternoon. No one else is anywhere near.

Paradise

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 01:14:56 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Paradise

Getting just the right angle for the shot

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 01:15:25 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Getting just the right angle for the shot

Nathan's boat

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:41:08 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Nathan's boat

Ready to sail. The keel is granite and the sail is made from a cracker box and the name is written with a tiny piece of charcoal.

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 01:15:53 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Ready to sail. The keel is granite and the sail is made from a cracker box and the name is written with a tiny piece of charcoal.

Palisade Crest etc from a bit above Elinore Lake

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:41:43 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Palisade Crest etc from a bit above Elinore Lake

[Video, 0:19] View of Palisade Crest from just above Elinore Lake

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 01:42:55 -0700

Nathan Hoover
[Video, 0:19] View of Palisade Crest from just above Elinore Lake

A small lake just above Elinore Lake

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:42:44 -0700

Nathan Hoover
A small lake just above Elinore Lake

Grace likes the view

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:42:12 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Grace likes the view

Columbine on the descent

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:43:17 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Columbine on the descent

Several shades of Columbine

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:44:32 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Several shades of Columbine

Rough route back down to camp

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:43:51 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Rough route back down to camp

Climbing through a boulder field

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:45:04 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Climbing through a boulder field

Down we go

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:45:40 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Down we go

Back down to Big Pine Creek

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:46:08 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Back down to Big Pine Creek

Crossing back to the south side

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:46:45 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Crossing back to the south side

Back in camp - since it's our last night we better finish the wine

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:47:12 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Back in camp - since it's our last night we better finish the wine

Enjoying dinner

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:47:44 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Enjoying dinner

Evening light looking southeast

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:48:03 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Evening light looking southeast

Close up

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:48:26 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Close up

Tuesday morning bushwacking our way back to the trail

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:49:03 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Tuesday morning bushwacking our way back to the trail

Near the end of the cross country section

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:49:44 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Near the end of the cross country section

Back on the trail

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:50:16 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Back on the trail

A last view of Palside Crest and Mt Sill (14,153') before we head down to the car

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:50:50 -0700

Nathan Hoover
A last view of Palside Crest and Mt Sill (14,153') before we head down to the car

Gooseberries - this would make a good jigsaw puzzle.

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:51:34 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Gooseberries - this would make a good jigsaw puzzle.

A cactus in bloom along the trail

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:52:02 -0700

Nathan Hoover
A cactus in bloom along the trail

Down at the trailhead it's a real treat to take off boots and...

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:52:40 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Down at the trailhead it's a real treat to take off boots and...

...soak our feet (and cool our beer) in the fast and cold water of Big Pine Creek

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:53:10 -0700

Nathan Hoover
...soak our feet (and cool our beer) in the fast and cold water of Big Pine Creek

Topo map showing our route - best viewed in Original size

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 02:54:04 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Topo map showing our route - best viewed in Original size