Day 4: Thousand Island Lake to Badger Lakes

Up before dawn to capture the changing light on Banner Peak.

First rays of light.

View across our campsite.

Banner Peak is draped with several glaciers and long-lasting snowfields.

Sunlight reaches our campsite.

An amazing scene to wake up to.

Full light of morning as we get ready to leave.

Visiting with the neighbors on our way out.

We follow a mile of shoreline from our campsite to the east end of the lake.

Wildflowers along Thousand Island Lake.

Last view of a beautiful High Sierra lake.

We follow the Pacific Crest Trail at the eastern end of Thousand Island Lake.

Near the lake outlet.

Our trail follows the headwaters of the Middle Fork of the San Joaquin River, which takes a long, circuitous route to the Central Valley.

More great views as we descend along the river.

Zoom lens captures a lone backpacker east of Thousand Island Lake.

Arriving at the largest of Badger Lakes (9600'), a secluded stop near the PCT.

Enjoying this classic Sierra lake after a swim in the cool water.