I don’t think I have as much to drone on about after this trip as I did after the JMT, so this should be a little bit more concise.

Secor claims the route around Cecile Lake is one of the more popular cross country routes in the Sierra. It’s easy to see why. A short, easy cross country section connecting two trails with beautiful scenery is fairly inviting. I would absolutely recommend this section to anyone who is interested in a bit of cross country travel. But, check beforehand to see if you can get recent pictures or satellite images. In our case, I feel the extra weight of microspikes and/or and ice axe would have been justified. The route is probably a bit easier in August or September.

The climb up Volcanic Ridge was also pretty enjoyable, despite the loose rock in the lower gully. The summit views were fantastic, and well worth a bit of slipping and sliding down lower.

The west face of Mount Ritter was a bit of an adventure. The approach is tedious, with several miles of talus hopping and little gendarmes and cliffs that must be negotiated to navigate around the lakes. I found this area about as difficult to travel than the infamous Williamson Bowl, but longer. Unfortunately, I can’t comment on the summit views, but I would imagine they are fantastic. Based on what I’ve read, if I were to go again, I would try the more frequently climbed Southeast Glacier Route.

Finally, the trail loop connecting the JMT and PCT in this area is a classic route featuring a ridgeline with impressive views of a range that connects to a beautiful series of alpine lakes. This is a fantastic day (without the Minaret Lake diversion) or overnight hike.

Okay, that’s about it. If you made it this far, thanks for reading, and if you have any feedback or questions, I would love to hear them in the comments or by contacting me directly.