2025-08-06 04:50:46
We started hiking early, so by the time there was enough light to have any hope of a photo, we'd already gained enough elevation that both Hamilton lakes were already visible.
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2025-08-06 04:51:38
In an earlier caption, I said the rocky outcropping where I dropped off Mt. Young's ridgeline acted as a false summit earlier in the day. Based on this photo, I think the false summit would actually be farther left where the ridge first flattens out. That also means that from the trail, about 40% of the elevation was hiding behind that false summit.
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2025-08-06 04:59:45
The air was dead still, which made for some spectacular reflections off the hamilton lakes.
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2025-08-06 04:59:55
This was shot just shy of 5am, so there still wasn't enough light to do this scene proper justice without a tripod.
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2025-08-06 05:07:55
I liked how much water the reflecting light made visible... like being able to see the little creek running down from the Hamilton Lakes to Pacman Lake.
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2025-08-06 05:24:31
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2025-08-06 05:24:37
In the mountains, sunrise time varies a lot depending on where you are. There is a little spot of sunlight on knob at the top the cliffs facing guitar lake, even though that knob is tiny compared to everything around it. It must be peeking in from between one of those windows you pass between trail crest and Whitney's summit.
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2025-08-06 05:39:24
It's amazing that you can take such stunning beauty and package it into a photo that just doesn't work. No blur needed, just terrible framing.
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2025-08-06 05:39:28
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2025-08-06 05:39:32
From this angle, it's pretty clear that Mount Hale is bigger than Mount Young.
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2025-08-06 05:39:44
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2025-08-06 05:40:37
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2025-08-06 05:44:53
I had some type I fun watching the sun crest the mountains in the reflections below.
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2025-08-06 06:11:21
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2025-08-06 06:11:52
Even with the highlights blown out a bit, I think this is the best photo I've ever taken. 95% was supplied by the sheer beauty of the moment.
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2025-08-06 06:31:35
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2025-08-06 06:31:47
Getting to see reflections in mountain lakes is ones of the things that makes the hike worth it.
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2025-08-06 06:31:47
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2025-08-06 06:40:19
Whitney is the peak in the background. You can see the trail there running along the top of the cliffs in the centre.
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2025-08-06 06:52:34
Peeking through a window in the rocks towards the Owens Valley.
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2025-08-06 07:06:56
The sun brought a little breeze to the lakes that disrupted the reflections a little.
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2025-08-06 08:21:02
A look at what isn't Owens Lake
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2025-08-06 08:26:20
My 8" skillet getting its upgrade.
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2025-08-06 08:32:50
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2025-08-06 08:33:03
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2025-08-06 08:33:51
Looking north from the summit
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2025-08-06 08:33:56
A look at the Owens Valley with Girl Scout Lake and Thor peak in the far left centre.
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2025-08-06 08:42:43
Lone Pine
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2025-08-06 09:06:55
The Whitney Portal parking lot doesn't look so far away... it is.
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2025-08-06 09:30:12
The trail from Guitar Lakeshows up much better with more light.
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2025-08-06 09:53:50
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2025-08-06 09:59:18
Mount Young looks so small from the ridge to Whitney.
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2025-08-06 10:00:50
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2025-08-06 10:01:58
I touch of blue ice is visible through this notch.
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2025-08-06 10:07:04
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2025-08-06 10:14:43
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2025-08-06 10:17:59
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2025-08-06 11:20:46
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2025-08-06 11:20:56
The beginning of so much down
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2025-08-06 11:29:21
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2025-08-06 11:41:57
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2025-08-06 12:19:01
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2025-08-06 12:25:23
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2025-08-06 12:34:20
There is a spring about 2/3 of the way from Trail Crest to Trail Camp. This is a terrible picture of it. The idea was to show that it pops out between the last switchback and the one I'm standing on.
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2025-08-06 12:56:56
The lake at Trail Camp
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2025-08-06 12:57:05
Wotan's Throne
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2025-08-06 12:57:12
Mount Irvine
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2025-08-06 12:57:15
Mount Irvine
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2025-08-06 12:57:19
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2025-08-06 12:57:27
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2025-08-06 12:57:36
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2025-08-06 14:29:05
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2025-08-06 14:46:49
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2025-08-06 14:50:33
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2025-08-06 14:52:30
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2025-08-06 14:58:07
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2025-08-06 15:02:21
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2025-08-06 15:36:00
It's a little bit hard to follow trail right here.
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2025-08-06 15:45:46
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2025-08-06 15:45:51
Candlelight Peak
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2025-08-06 16:14:18
Sooty Grouse
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2025-08-06 16:16:28
Still not sure what this bird is. Maybe a juvinile hermit thrush?
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2025-08-06 16:16:32
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2025-08-06 16:40:56
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2025-08-06 16:52:29
Lone Pine Lake
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2025-08-06 16:56:28
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2025-08-06 17:12:37
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2025-08-06 17:15:09
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2025-08-06 17:19:27
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2025-08-06 17:23:42
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2025-08-06 17:24:23
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2025-08-06 17:25:39
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2025-08-06 17:26:41
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2025-08-06 17:28:04
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2025-08-06 17:28:12
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2025-08-06 17:30:18
After Lone Pine Lake, you get regular peeks of the parking lot at Whitney Portal below. It takes annoyingly long to actually get there.
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2025-08-06 17:31:10
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2025-08-06 17:40:04
The view of the valley floor gives a pretty good look at the type of scenery that made the Owens Valley a popular place to shoot desert scenes.
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2025-08-06 17:42:39
Focal point miss... Some random background lupine is nice and sharp.
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2025-08-06 17:47:34
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2025-08-06 17:56:56
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2025-08-06 18:00:06
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2025-08-06 18:09:37
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2025-08-06 18:36:37
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2025-08-06 18:38:46
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2025-08-06 18:39:05
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2025-08-06 18:39:10
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2025-08-06 18:40:03
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2025-08-06 18:47:25
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2025-08-06 18:47:32
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2025-08-06 18:47:50
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2025-08-06 18:51:32
Now the parking lot really is close, but there is still a long switchback before getting there.
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2025-08-06 18:57:11
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2025-08-06 18:58:16
A last look up Lone Pine Creek.
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2026-01-18 23:57:30
2026-01-18 23:58:06
2026-01-18 23:59:31
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