Cactusgem	LaReita	Jakob & Sean Yes Jake is reading a book - Jurasic Park
Lone Pine Lake	First Camp	Looking down at Lone Pine Lake
Jakob & Sean at first snow bridge	Trail Camp	Sky Pilot (Polonium) Flowers
Junction John Muir Trail	Keeler Needle	Almost there!
We made it!		Where are the showers

        The next morning we stopped at OutPost Camp (10,365') for the boys to run off some energy climbing up by the Falls and then decided to have an early lunch. Out next stop was only 1/2 mile later where the boys wanted to fish at Mirror Lake (10,640') It was so beautiful there and we could see why the Lake was named that. In a photo you can hardly tell which is the reflection. It wasn't too long then until our ascent passed timberline and we saw Mount Whitney come into view over Pinnacle Ridge.  Because of all the goofing off all day, we ended up spending the night on the switchbacks (approximately 11,395') above the South Fork of Lone Pine Creek and Trailside Meadow. We were now on granite and with the full moon it was just like daylight all night long.

        The next morning we arrived at Trail Camp (12,000') before Noon.  We got our camp set up, washed socks in melted snow, purified water enough to last a couple of days and welcomed others coming into camp as we watched a Mother Marmot protect her young from a Fox. The boys went skiing in the ice chutes. Then we all took a nap. It was a wonderful lazy day with nothing but the quiet of nature and beauty surrounding us.

        The next morning we set out and the wild flowers, Sky pilots, Alpine Gold and Alpine phlox welcomed us. They were so beautiful because of all the moisture the Sierras had. In fact there was still a lot of snow melting around us. I got Jakob to promise me he wouldn't read while hiking on the way to the summit. He had bought the book Jurassic Park in Lone Pine and couldn't put it down. There were many snow bridges we had to cross which isn't my favorite thing to do and we hit the first one and the longest one right above Trail Camp (12,000') to Trail Crest (13,777'). One advantage we missed a lot of 100 + switchbacks and saved time, the bad part being there was only room to move one foot right in front of the other and the snow was starting to get mushy. We had taken some good advise and left early to avoid it getting too soft. I'll have to admit it took my breath away to find out how long the snowbridge was and I wasn't the only one. La Reita, Jakob and Sean started to wonder if we had came far enough. I looked at Jakob and Sean's tennis shoes and felt pretty bad in my $200.00, waterproof hiking boots. We all decided we would go on and so off we went and then climbed the ice steps that had been made straight up too many steps to the crest. From Trail Camp to Trail Crest is 1700' straight up. I thought I had prepared everyone for what they would see when they reached the Trail Crest remembering my first time of reaching the crest or saddle and all at once seeing almost all of Sequoia National Park to the West, including the Great Western Divide. To the East, far, very far, below, are Consultation Lake and several small unnamed lakes, lying close under the Whitney Crest. We all crawled over to an empty space and got our barring. (Now I laugh as I tell this.) The boys took off ahead of us promising to wait at the top for us.  The next 1/2 mile was a breeze as we descended to the junction with the John Muir Trail (13,450').  The next 2 miles of the trip is breath taking as we pass the large blocks of talus and get sneak peeks of Owens Valley, 10,000' feet below us to the East. We can see the heads of barren glacial cirques, with brilliant turquoise lakes.

       After going through a scary snowfield where some steps we never felt the bottom of we finally saw ahead an almost level plateau with a small cabin near the summit. Waiting to greet us at the cabin was Jakob and Sean to finish the final few steps to the highest point in the "lower 48" states. Yes we made it to the top (14,4494')! 4th of July 1993 found us well and on top! There are no words in my vocabulary to describe the view from there. You will have to go and see for yourself for the first time.

        We were four very proud folks with a well earned feeling of accomplishment when we returned to Trail Camp that night and was greeted by many waiting for morning and their turn. We made spaghetti that night and just as we were going to serve it - over it went into the dirt. We were all so tired we just laughed and ate our Cherry Cheese Cake dessert, (thank goodness for dehydrated trail foods)  and went to bed.

        The next day we took our time going down because we knew we wanted to stay at Lone Pine Lake again. We had a great day taking little side hikes and hiking as far as we could to the edge of the lake where the Lone Pine Falls is. I had a Jurassic experience that night. I woke up as the full moon was rising above the lake lighting up our tent and I opened the window to see it rising and reflecting in the water. It seemed to me I saw a dinosaur raise his head from taking a drink from the lake. I wasn't afraid, I knew it wasn't true but it sure looked like it could be.

        As we broke camp and left the last morning it was with excitement to be going home but with apprehension rather I would be able to see this beautiful place again and having to return to schedules, noise, people and life. Down we went four very happy and dirty adventurers. We daydreamed of hot showers and soft beds after a huge hamburger and strawberry shake in Lone Pine.

        For some reason everything was much more "exciting" this time for me. What a thrill it was for me to take my youngest son on this adventure. My wish now is to return again during my 60th birthday year.

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