Stella and Frank at the Saddlebag Lake Trailhead at the start of the hike.
Low water in Saddlebag Lake.
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen
Frank and Stella descend into Hall Valley.
We start on the use trail to Mt. Conness.
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen
Bill and Stella head off into a meadow in search of Green Treble Lake.
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen
We follow a faint use trail for a while.
We cross one low running stream.
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen
We make our way through meadows still soft with dampness.
View across a broad meadow to the bowl below the south ridge of Mt. Conness
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen
Stella and Frank ascend a meadow toward Green Treble Lake.
Frank and Stella make their way around the shore of Green Treble Lake.
Mt. Conness east ridge is in the background.
Bill and Stella gaze upon Maul Lake.
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen
Maul Lake from its south shore
Mt. Conness east ridge is in the background. (w/o UV-polarized filter)
Frank and Stella climb from Maul Lake.
The east ridge of Mt. Conness is in the background. Green Treble Lake can be seen at the left.
Spuller Lake from its north shore
Frank and Stella traverse around the west side of Spuller Lake.
Bill points the way.
Tioga Peak (11526ft) rises in the background. Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen
Looks like we can no longer avoid talus.
Our short-term goal is the darker rock beyond the talus. Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen
Bill muddles through the boulders with his sticks while Stella manages without.
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen
Talus field above Spuller Lake
Spuller Lake itself is not visible in this photo. The tarn in the background is unnamed.
Frank leads the way up into the terraces.
Bill descends, looking for an easier way.
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen
We climb a broad chute.
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen
Tioga Peak (11526ft) rises in the background.
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen
We stop for a snack as Stella passes through the low point of her hike.
Saddlebag Lake is in the background.
Frank and Stella press up a broad chute.
Shepherd Crest (and Sky Pilot Col to its right) through the trees
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen
Panorama from high point on the route
Bill climbs the knoll to join Frank at the high point.
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen
View back toward Saddlebag Lake (upper right) from the high point on the route
View southeast from high point on the route
It was from here that we first glimpsed the Great Sierra Mine and the Gaylor Lakes trail.
The Promised Land, and the prospect of an actual trail lies in _that_ direction, toward the Great Sierra Mine.
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen
Bill leads the way down to the Great Sierra Mine.
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen
View back toward the high point from near Great Sierra Mine
Frank and Stella can be seen walking toward my position.
Gaylor Peak (11004ft) and the Kuna Crest in the background
Two years ago we down-climbed the north ridge of Gaylor Peak, visible in this photo. Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen
Mt. Dana (13057ft) and Mt. Gibbs (12773ft)
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen
We descend multi-colored klinkers.
View back along the route from Great Sierra Mine
A one horsepower winch, minus the horse.
Stella peers into a mine shaft.
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen
Stella and Frank at a Great Sierra Mine dwelling
Gaylor Lakes and Peak stand in the background.
Stella at Great Sierra Mine.
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen
Fireplace of old stone cabin.
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen
Bill starts down the trail to Gaylor Lakes.
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen
Upper Gaylor Lake from its southern outlet
The Cathedral Range from Gaylor Lakes
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen
Right on the trail! Someone didn't clean up after their bear.
Lower Gaylor Lake from its northeastern shore.
w/ UV-polarized filter
Frank and Stella arrive at the Gaylor Lakes pass.
Frank and Stella on Tioga Road
Tioga Lake from Tioga Road
Stella and Frank at the Tioga Pass Resort
Late afternoon sun and Tioga Pass Resort cabin
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen
Stella and Frank walk up Saddlebag Lake Road.
Lee Vining Creek flows down through an alpine valley.
Tree roots
Lodgepole pines
Zooming on the tricky part of our route earlier in the day.
Our route followed a line that touches the two spots in the sun above the white band of rock. Taking a lower route, as suggested by Roper, would appear to have put us on steeper terrain.