The lower Broad Canyon Trail crosses through roughly 2 miles of forest before opening into mid-elevation alpine meadows.
As the trail climbs higher the canyon walls steepen into sheer and vertical granite cliffs.
Eventually the trail climbs out of the lower elevation grass and sage hillsides.
There are a handful of flat grass and tree covered meadows on the way to the high country.
Alpine wildflowers decorate the meadows and creek banks well into August.
The trail climbs though a few additional steep sections before reaching Betty Lake.
Wildflowers and soaring granite walls.
A hiker climbs though one of several alpine meadows on the Broad Canyon Trail.
Trail sign at Betty Lake, one of three beautiful lakes at the head of Broad Canyon (Goat and Baptie are the other two).
From Betty, the trail continues climbing to the divide with Surprise Valley.
Looking down onto Betty Lake. The trail to Goat climbs the rolling hillside in the middle of the photo.
Huge granite boulders flank the trail above Betty Lake.
Setting up a bivvy among the boulders on an overnight trip to Broad Canyon.
Bivvy among the boulders.
Dusk.
Alpenglow on the walls above Goat Lake.
Sunrise peeks into the upper Broad Canyon Cirque.
The trail to the divide with Surprise Valley makes several switchbacks through steep talus and scree fields.
Daniel Sherman
Photo Date: 
08/05/2014
Betty Lake.
Daniel Sherman
Photo Date: 
08/05/2014
A hiker enjoys the beginnings of a small campfire.
Daniel Sherman
Photo Date: 
08/05/2014
Spectacular view of the Pioneer Mountains to the east.
Daniel Sherman
Photo Date: 
08/05/2014
Camping in an open meadow near Betty Lake.
Daniel Sherman
Photo Date: 
08/05/2014
Small meadow surrounding the creek draining Betty Lake.