White Hills

Snow in the Sierra foothills is uncommon and short lived. After Christmas, an unusual storm dropped the snowline under 3,000 feet. These photos were taken December 31st 2010, along Putnam Canyon trail.

Looking down toward Three Rivers and the rest of Tulare County:It was 'partially cloudly' that day:

The road taken:

Homer's Brow, a rocky dome above Putnam Canyon and the Kaweah River:

It took alot of rain to make the sky that shade of blue:

Homer's Nose (left) and the Brow:

Mineral King

These photos are from the Mineral King region of Sequoia National Park. All were taken from the Sawtooth-Monarch Trail, on September 13th 2010. Trail begins:

Empire Mountain:

Lower Monarch Lake, seen from the climb up Sawtooth Pass:

Upper Monarch Lake:

Sawtooth Pass:

Columbine Lake:

Sawtooth Peak:

Larger view of Sawtooth Peak:

I lost the trail partway up the pass. There wasn't time for me to reach the summit. In early October, I tried again, but unexpected rain made the rocks far too slippery.

From 10-2-2010: