Day 3: Hilgard Branch to Lake Italy

Next morning, the trail to Lake Italy soon becomes steep and rugged.

Spectacular views make the difficult trail easier to endure.

Deep gorge around 10,800 feet.

Enjoying the raw beauty of the setting.

12,000-foot peaks rise above the Lake Italy trail.

Mid-morning rest stop looking up the creek.

Trail finding is easy along Hilgard Branch.

The views become more impressive by late morning.

View of the 12,000-foot peak between Lake Italy and Brown Bear Lake.

Glaciers carved smooth granite mountainsides above valleys and canyons throughout the High Sierra.

Most difficult stretch of the Lake Italy trail.

This short steep section would be classified as Class 2 (need to use your hands but don't need a rope).

Awkward with a full backpack, but not dangerous if you know what you're doing.

Steeper than it looks in this photo.

At noon, we arrive in a broad, mostly unforested valley below Lake Italy.

We'll need to cross the creek before getting to Lake Italy.

Teddy Bear and Brown Bear are around the slope to the right, with Lake Italy to the left.

Now south of the creek, Lake Italy is just over the rise.

Great view of barren mountains looking back down the Lake Italy trail.

View from the shore of Lake Italy at 11,200 feet.

Feeling that strange combination of exhaustion and exhilaration so typical of backpacking trips in the High Sierra.

Mid-afternoon rest at our campsite near this scenic alpine lake.

Grassy shores of Lake Italy on a warm August afternoon.

We jump in the ice-cold lake to cool off and get rid of the grime of two days of backpacking.

Green meadow alongside the lake is a good spot to relax for a couple of hours.

Strolling by the shore of Lake Italy as the sun goes behind the nearby peaks.

Looking southwest.

Watching evening approach is one of the peaceful joys of High Sierra backpacking.

Mike and Dave probably discussing some esoteric question of Physics.

Moonlight will diminish our view of the Perseids tonight, but not by much.

Sunset view.

Alpenglow as the sun disappears over the western horizon.

At High Sierra lakes, one experiences sunset over a couple of hours.

Last glow of light as we look forward to the annual display of the Perseids meteor shower.