On the second morning it was really nice and clear when we woke up.

Sunrise over the Kearsarge Pinnacles. We packed up and headed out for camp, taking the lower trail past Bullfrog Lake to the John Muir Trail.

East Vidette and Mount Brewer rising prominently over Bullfrog Lake.

Wider shot of Bullfrog Lake. This is a really beautiful lake.

Looking across Bullfrog Lake and up Bubbs Creek towards Mount Stanford. After a nice stroll along the shore of Bullfrog Lake, we found the JMT and headed down to Junction Meadow.

East Vidette from the JMT where it drops down to Junction Meadow. From Junction Meadow, the climb to Forester Pass is long. Nowhere is it steep or difficult, but the 9 mile rise from ~9,600’ to 13,200’ is always a slog, and this, my first time over the pass was no different.

Looking north down Bubbs Creek towards University Peak. Mount Rixford, and Mount Cotter.

A little lake along the climb to Forester Pass. The last sheltered camping on the north side of Forester is in the trees around 11,200’.

Junction Peak above a small lake.

Dad making his way up one of the last stretches to Forester Pass as some clouds start to build to our north.

Almost there.

From the little notch at Forester Pass we had a great view to the south.

Center Peak with some building rain clouds to the north.

Not wanting to get caught in any weather, we didn’t linger at the pass too long before dropping down to Tyndall Creek.

The final switchbacks on the south side of Forester Pass. This was the final pass to be completed on the John Muir Trail, and from the south side it looks quite impossible that there’s a trail route crossing this pass.

In an hour or so we were down in the trees along Tyndall Creek just north of the Ranger Station. We set up camp here for the night, cooked dinner, and went to bed.