First Valley

Moving across the first valley, we gradually shed our cold weather gear (top).  In my backpack:  trail mix, first aid kit, extra clothing, big camera, small camera, video camera, two Camel Backs full of water, plus about six full-sized plastic bottles of water. 

Above, looking across the valley towards the next ridge, the trail is barely visible, moving diagonally up the slope.  We continued down into a small copse of pines, the around the southern bowl.  Aside from our time inside the trees, the vast, expansive views were incredible.