Day 3: Upper French Canyon to Moon Lake

Another beautiful mid-summer day as we head into the upper part of French Canyon.

Only a mile more to Pine Creek Pass but we detour south towards some High Sierra lakes.

Pilot Knob is in the distance.

Rest stop by a creek that descends from French Lake. There's nothing quite like dipping your cup into a cool High Sierra creek on a warm August day.

Wide-angle view shows the rugged peaks north of French Canyon.

Along the one-mile climb to Elba Lake.

The shelf containing Merriam Lake is in the distance.

Late morning as we near 11,000 feet.

We pass Elba Lake on the way to nearby Moon Lake.

Taking in the view at Moon Lake before dropping back down to a nearby campsite.

By mid-afternoon, our campsite is set up and we're taking it easy after the first twenty miles of our trip.

More showers along the Sierra Crest. In the foreground is a small pond we use for swimming.

A weak flow of monsoon moisture keeps the weather interesting throughout our trip.