Columbine Lake and surroundings: one of nature's castles.
Trail to Monarch Lake with Sawtooth Peak in view.
From Monarch Lake, continue following the Sawtooth Pass Trail.
Gaining elevation above Lower Monarch Lake and across from Mineral Peak (11,615') en route to Sawtooth Pass.
Looking up toward Sawtooth Pass (11,630').
Empire Mountain's jagged east ridge.
Unmaintained Sawtooth Pass Trail with Sawtooth Peak (12,343') in the distance.
Sawtooth Peak from Sawtooth Pass. Sequoia National Park.
Kaweah Peaks Ridge seen from near Sawtooth Pass with Black Kaweah (13,681') and Red Kaweah (13,720') in view.
View of Columbine Lake after dropping over Sawtooth Pass.
Columbine Lake and Sawtooth Peak. Sequoia National Park.
Backcountry campsite at Columbine Lake.
Backcountry campsite at Columbine Lake.
Columbine Lake's outlet flows into Cyclamen and Spring Lakes below.
Cairns mark the unmaintained trail around Columbine Lake.
Sierra sunrise over Lost Valley.
A short climb and side excursion from Columbine Lake offers views throughout Sequoia National Park, including Morro Rock and Giant Forest on the western slope.
Big Five Lakes, Big Arroyo, and the Kaweah Peaks Ridge as seen from a ridgeline above Columbine Lake.
Mirror-like calm on Big Five Lakes.
Kaweah Peaks Ridge.
Sawtooth Peak above Columbine Lake.
California golden trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss aguabonita), Columbine Lake.
Foxtail pine (Pinus balfouriana), Columbine Lake.
Columbine Lake from Sawtooth Pass.
The Mount Whitney ridge as seen from Sawtooth Pass. Mount Whitney (14,505') is the high point on the farthest ridge left.