Day 4- Glen Pass and Junction Meadow

9/25/14  Day four was the big day, up and over Glen Pass. 1,500' up to the pass, which was incredibly windy, and then down almost 4,500' the other side with jaw dropping views of Kings Canyon.
DSC01058 Morning view from the tent. The rainfly definitely kept things warmer, but it's still a cold morning. There were crazy gusts of wind throughout the night that...
Morning view from the tent. The rainfly definitely kept things warmer, but it's still a cold morning. There were crazy gusts of wind throughout the night that…
MAH01055 Morning video from our tent site with Painted Lady and Mt Rixford behind. The video is an attempt to show just how fast the clouds are moving in the wind. I was...
Morning video from our tent site with Painted Lady and Mt Rixford behind. The video is an attempt to show just how fast the clouds are moving in the wind. I was…
DSC01063 Heading up the trail out of Rae Lakes basin.
Heading up the trail out of Rae Lakes basin.
DSC01069 Looking down at the upper Rae Lake. We're gaining elevation quick and the wind is howling.
Looking down at the upper Rae Lake. We're gaining elevation quick and the wind is howling.
DSC01071 Dustin making his way up the rocky terrain. Our plan to get over the pass first thing in the morning seems to be paying off as our energy is high and we're...
Dustin making his way up the rocky terrain. Our plan to get over the pass first thing in the morning seems to be paying off as our energy is high and we're…
DSC01072 An amazing contrast to the lush forest trails and lakes below. But beautiful in its own way.
An amazing contrast to the lush forest trails and lakes below. But beautiful in its own way.
DSC01074 Now at around 11,000', well above the tree line, it feels like we're walking on the moon.
Now at around 11,000', well above the tree line, it feels like we're walking on the moon.
DSC01075 The trail hits a basin about halfway up to the pass. There's yet another amazing patchwork of lakes here. You can imagine this being a complete bowl of snow...
The trail hits a basin about halfway up to the pass. There's yet another amazing patchwork of lakes here. You can imagine this being a complete bowl of snow…
DSC01077 Panorama of the basin.
Panorama of the basin.
DSC01078 A look at Glen Pass, still almost 800' above us. You can see the trail switchbacking up the face to the left.
A look at Glen Pass, still almost 800' above us. You can see the trail switchbacking up the face to the left.
DSC01081 Looking down at the lakes in the basin below. One of the craziest elevation defying pictures I've ever taken. It looks like Dustin is standing next to a little...
Looking down at the lakes in the basin below. One of the craziest elevation defying pictures I've ever taken. It looks like Dustin is standing next to a little…
DSC01082 Another beautiful turquoise lake below.
Another beautiful turquoise lake below.
DSC01085 Rae Lakes far below with the clouds blowing across the ridge. The highest peaks are Black Mtn and Diamond Peak, both over 13,000'.
Rae Lakes far below with the clouds blowing across the ridge. The highest peaks are Black Mtn and Diamond Peak, both over 13,000'.
DSC01087 Almost up to the pass, and the lakes are endless below. You can also see snow glistening off the farthest peaks. Undoubtedly some of the small glaciers that...
Almost up to the pass, and the lakes are endless below. You can also see snow glistening off the farthest peaks. Undoubtedly some of the small glaciers that…
DSC01089 The last few feet to Glen Pass.
The last few feet to Glen Pass.
DSC01091 Made it! Glen Pass at 11,978' above sea level. As soon as you hit the pass, there's a gap in the rocks with an incredible view down the other side. The wind is...
Made it! Glen Pass at 11,978' above sea level. As soon as you hit the pass, there's a gap in the rocks with an incredible view down the other side. The wind is…
DSC01093 Dustin looking cool on Glen Pass.
Dustin looking cool on Glen Pass.
DSC01103 Dustin's picture of me on the pass, fully bracing myself in the wind, pack straps flapping and hair on end.
Dustin's picture of me on the pass, fully bracing myself in the wind, pack straps flapping and hair on end.
DSC01095 There was noone on the pass to take a picture for us (one of the few times I would have loved to see someone on the trail). So we had to settle for a selfie.
There was noone on the pass to take a picture for us (one of the few times I would have loved to see someone on the trail). So we had to settle for a selfie.
DSC01098 Looking down the North side of the pass all the way back to Rae Lakes. Hard to believe we were down there just a little while ago.
Looking down the North side of the pass all the way back to Rae Lakes. Hard to believe we were down there just a little while ago.