From the junction with Fall Creek, the Surprise Valley Trail climbs 1,000 feet to gain this glacial hanging valley.
Perservering through the steep climb into Surprise Valley.
Clouds drift over granite towers on this rainy day.
Sheets of rain come down onto the small unnamed pond at the toe of Surprise Valley.
Clearing, a view up the canyon from the edge of Surprise Valley.
At 9,200 feet, there is a break in the western wall confining Surprise Valley. This is actually where the main drainage descends over a steep falls to Fall Creek Canyon below.
Peaks enveloped in rain clouds toward the headwaters of Fall Creek.
A backpacker enjoys a respite from the storm above the Fall Creek Valley.
Back on the trail. Surprise Valley with Altair Peak in the distance.
The trail fades a bit above 9,400 feet, but the going is mostly open along the creek.
Alpine flowers decorate the upper 2 miles of alpine meadows. Here a patch of slender paintbrush (Castilleja gracillima) is abundant.
Altair Peak and a tumbling creek in Surprise Valley.
The northwest face of Altair Peak towers over the head of Surprise Valley.
Prairie smoke (Geum trilflorum).
Beautiful alpine meadows stretch for miles.
An afternoon thunderstorm leaves its mark in August.
10,000 feet, Surprise Valley.
Storm clouds and granite boulders.
Walking the edge of the uppermost lake in Surprise Valley.
The sharp granodiorite towers of the massive west face of Pegasus Peak flank the entire east side of Surprise Valley.
Preparing for sunset at the uppermost lake.
Vegetation detail.
Climbing the final 800 feet of good trail through the talus field below Standhope Peak.
Looking down onto the uppermost lake in Surprise Valley from the west ridge of Altair Peak.
A view down the impressive hanging Surprise Valley. The drainage actually turns left and drops through the break in the canyon wall in the center of this photo.