Near Crescent Meadows
Within a mile of starting from Crescent Meadows, the hike takes its own character.
Eagle view
1 mile from the trailhead is Eagle view where you get a stunning view of the seven mile hill.
1 mile from the trail head lies Eagle View.
Sugardome
Sugardome lies along the trail
Sun stars along the trail
Sun star along the HST
River valley view
This is one of the stunning views of river valley from the trail
Stunning views of river valley
Great Western Divide
The Great Western Divide looms ahead, we would cross this on day 3.
Lone pine creek
This deep creek runs in a deep canyon as we approach the great western divide
Fallen bridge over lone pine creek
This metal bridge, built in the 1930s lasted a few years before an avalanche took it down.
Lower hamilton lake
After a steep climb, we approach lower hamilton lake.
Lower Hamilton lake
Clear green waters of lower hamilton lake.
Hamilton lake
Mt. Stuart looms over Hamilton lake. The blowout is at 8'o clock under the brown highlighted areas.
Clouds roll over Mt. Stuart
Clouds roll in over Mt. Stuart
Sun sets over Mt. Stuart
The colors ratchet up during sunset
As the sun sets further, colors get more vivid over Mt. Stuart.
Sunset over Mt. Stuart
Sun sets over Mt. Stuart in lake Hamilton
Moonrise
Moon rises over Lake Hamilton
Moonlit Mt. Stuart
As the sun has set, moon lights up Mt. Stuart.
Lower Hamilton Lake at sunrise
As the sun rises, lower Hamilton lake is seen as we climb towards Hamilton gorge.
Lower Hamilton Lake
Am I in Yosemite or Sequoia?
Crossing the Hamilton blowout
2019 was the year of the blowout. Here is Durgi, crossing the blowout, with Lake Hamilton in the bottom.
The Hamilton gorge is an area of sharp drops which were impossible for the trail crew to blast through. There is a tunnel through which you walk. The San Diego backpackers have just crossed this.
