Mt. Thoreau near Piute Pass. John Muir Wilderness, Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA Photo by Van MIller
I met my brother at Upper Piute lake, just below the pass. He’d pulled his groin on Day 3 of our 14 day trip, so we split up. He’s been taking it easy doing short hikes in beautiful country. John Muir Wilderness, Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA Photo by Van MIller
There’s still smoke in the air. When I reached trail’s end, I learned that the source was the Shafer fire, which went wild and closed down backcountry access. John Muir Wilderness, Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA Photo by Van Miller
Wilderness civilization. John Muir Wilderness, Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA Photo by Van Miller
Beautiful conifer forest trail. John Muir Wilderness, Sierra Nevada Mountails, Californiia, USA Photo by Van MIller
Heading over Piute Pass today to meet up with my brother. Easy hiking on a well worn trail. John Muir Wilderness, Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA Photo by Van Miller
Morning near Huchinson Meadow. John Muir Wilderness, Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA. Photo by Van Miller
Dawn. Hutchinson Meadow, John Muir Wilderness, Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA Photo by Van Miller
Piute Creek, Hutchinson Meadow, John Muir Wilderness, Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA Photo by Van Miller
View of the entrance to Pinnacles Lakes Basin from my camp at Hutchinson Meadow. John Muir Wilderness, Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA Photo by Van Miller
Mule jawbone. John Muir Wilderness, Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA Photo by Van Miller
A stack of pancakes. Hutchinson Meadows, John Muir Wilderness, Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA Photo by Van Miller
Piute Creek, Hutchinson Meadow, John Muir Wilderness, Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA Photo by Van Miller
Into the forest. John Muir Wilderness, Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA Photo by Van Miller
Heading to Hutchinson Meadows at the base of Pine Knob, an easy descent. John Muir Wilderness, Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA Photo by Van Miller
Following the natural contours, avoiding talus, and enjoying the smooth granite. John Muir Wilderness, Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA Photo by Van Miller
Carefully working my way out of the notch above Piute Canyon. John Muir Wilderness, Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA Photo by Van Miller