Huge but dead ponderosa trunk along the Queens River Trail. There were some impressive live specimins within the first couple of miles along this hike, but many may have burned in the 2013 fires.
The south buttress of Nahneke Mountain flanks the north side of the trail. Numerous granite spires like this one beckon technical rock climbers. Though the rock quality is dubious, there are bound to be some potential routes for exploratory climbers.
Several drainages cascade into Queens River from both sides of this steep, glacially carved U-shaped canyon.
The Queens River Trail crosses several large, open avalance paths that are devoid of large trees and offer some great open views.
Queens River cascades over several steep bedrock sections of the creek and is flanked by thick shrubbery that adds pretty color to the landscape with the change of the season.
Fall colors along Quens River.
Fall color detail.
Though the trail stays above the creek, the sound of falls and cascades frequently beckon the hiker to find a route down to the water.
Queens River Falls is hidden from view, but attentive hikers will recongize the sound of water plunging into a deep pool. A little off-trail hiking will lead to this great swimming hole and waterfall.
Queens River Falls from the creekbed. There are easy 5 to 10-foot cliff jumps into the pool at the base of the falls.
The Queens River cascades over the bedrock section for several hundered yards below the falls.
More fall color detail.