After leaving Garnet Lake, we hiked to Thousand Island Lake to spend the night. While it was a busier place than we’d have hoped to settle down for the night (due to the convergence of the Pacific Crest and John Muir trails, as well as its proximity to Agnew Meadows for weekend backpackers), it surely is a gorgeous lake, and we were happy to camp on a little bench overlooking the water, giving us time to ponder whether there really are 1,000 islands.
Moonrise, Thousand Island Lake, July 2010
Since we were camped a little above 10,000′ elevation, we also encountered the first marmots of our trip. As a side note, our trip thus far had been surprisingly sparse of any wildlife sightings, with very few if any mammals. I spent some time in the evening trying to photograph a couple of marmots near our campsite to no avail, but I did enjoy some of the patterns present in the talus, and think they work really well as black and white images.
Talus abstract, July 2010
Of course, the big photographic attraction at Thousand Island Lake is a fantastic sunrise view of Banner Peak (Mt. Ritter is hidden behind Banner), and although this mountain has been photographed many times, I couldn’t resist getting up early the following morning to enjoy another fantastic sunrise in the Sierra Nevada.
Banner Peak at dawn, July 2010
After dawn, we ate breakfast and packed up, facing a long day. This would be our final day in the Ansel Adams Wilderness; our plan was to cross over Donohue Pass and into Yosemite National Park. More on that in my next post. To see all of my Sierra Nevada Photos, click here.
The talus abstract is superb. Great shapes and tonal separation.
Looks like a great place, Greg. I first saw Banner Peak on Gary Crabbe’s site and would like to see it for myself someday.
Thanks PJ and Richard.
PJ: Its amazing what you can find if you look underfoot, isn’t it? That’s one of my favorites from the trip.
Richard: Its an easy 2-day backpack. You should apply for a wilderness permit and do it this fall.
I like this one of Banner Peak. Interesting choice to make it a vertical too.
I have lots of landscape orientations as well, but this one really stuck out as the way I see Banner Peak. Glad you liked it.
Amazing pictures from Yosemite.
Really loved the pictures of the peaks. Especially the Banner Peak at dawn. !
You are an inspiration!
Thank you for stopping by and for the kind words, Pradeep! I’m glad you enjoyed the photos…it was an amazing trip!