The sun sets on Day 2 and we went to bed early to catch some early morning light and to get an early start on the day.
Jupiter and Saturn were the only thing bright enough to compete with the nearly full moon.
Calm before the sunrise.
Sunrise over High Emigrant lake from our camp.
Shadow shenanigans.
Shadow shenanigans.
Eric helps break down the tent.
Morning light on the days you have to leave always seem special.
Leave no trace! Except for a few footprints in the grus.
And we're off. First item of the morning was to tackle Big Sam. 2.5 miles and a gain of 1155'. With sore knees and a few extra specimens in the pack.
Eric in the morning light.
Eric in the morning light. He put it in overdrive to reach the top of Big Sam in about 45 minutes. Every time I stopped to take a photo he was further ahead of…
The last remaining snow patch in the drainage.
Snow way this should be so pretty.
Farewell view and a nice spot for a breather. I think I needed to eat more breakfast that morning. My body just didn't want to cooperate with me getting up the…
Small melt-water pond.
Eric was refreshed after waiting another 30 minutes for me to catch-up.
Yosemite in the distance.
Looking back to Big Sam, where we descended 1100' and 2.3 miles in about 40 minutes. Downhill is always easiest.
This is literally the ONLY flatish section of the entire trail. And it's still uphill. Leavitt Peak is just right of center.
