Frank and Stella manage a smile at the start of our hike to Valentine Peak.
We trudge up the dusty trail in the morning light.
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.
Barney Lake and Duck Pass
Pensetemon Newberry grow alongside the trail.
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.
View of Barney Lake and the trail to Duck Pass from the top of the headwall.
Stella and Frank can be seen on the trail below.
Stella on the trail below Duck Pass
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.
Frank appears at Duck Pass.
Stella appears at Duck Pass.
Stella and Bill gaze upon Duck Lake from Pike Lake Trail.
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.
Duck Lake from Duck Pass
Valentine Peak is at the center.
Bill and Stella start across the meadow toward Valentine Peak.
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.
Stella and Frank climb through the verdant valley above Duck Lake.
Stella gazes up the ever-steepening slope.
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.
Sometimes all fours are needed.
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.
Stella on easier terrain above the broad chute
Unfortunately, the summit is still some distance beyond. Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.
View from the bottom of the talus field that lies between him and the summit
The summit is still 200 vertical meters higher, almost all of it talus.
View down from the bottom of the talus field.
Stella and Frank are visible at the lower center of the photo, working their way up the easier portion of the climb.
Bill works his way up through the talus.
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.
Duck Lake from the talus field below Valentine Peak
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.
Summit panorama from Valentine Peak (12070ft)
Bill at the summit of Valentine Peak (12050ft)
In the background are Mono Lake and the town of Mammoth Lakes.
But, to the south a dark cloud gathers.
Bloody Mountain and Red Slate Mountain from Valentine Peak
Red Slate Mountain and dark clouds
View into the storm
View north toward Mono Lake from Valentine Peak
A dark cloud approaches from the south.
I'm thinking/hoping that the cloud passes to the west.
Boundary Peak (distance) and Bloody Mountain from Valentine Peak
Rain falls to the west over Iron Mountain.
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.
Bill descends from the summit as clouds roll in.
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.
Stella dons her rain jacket while Frank exits the talus field in the background.
Frank starts down the broad chute we climbed earlier.
This time the rocks are wet.
Frank takes out his camera for a photo.
Bill in wet clothes gazes upon a dampened valley above Duck Lake.
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.
Valentine Peak from Duck Pass
Frank climbs up Pika Lake Trail to Duck Pass.
Our storm intensifies and moves northward, away from us.
Meanwhile at Duck Pass the skies clear, and the sun will soon make a welcome appearance to help dry us out.
View northwest from Duck Pass
after the rain storm passed
Stella, Frank, and Bill pause for a group photo above Barney Lake.
Stella crosses Coldwater Creek below Barney Lake.
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.
Pyramid Peak from Duck Pass Trail
The intrepid hikers finish their hike at the trailhead.
