Because I hate Being Left in the Dark

Not too surprisingly, the trek back down the mountain was disorienting. The entire leg of the trip that was cloaked in darkness seemed to drag on and on as if the rangers of Inyo Nat'l Forest purposefully moved the trailhead several miles in the opposite direction to spite tired hikers.

Fortunately, the landscape was no less beautiful, and although my legs were so tired I nearly reached muscle failure the final four miles, I could not resist a few final snapshots to bring back home to you.



Trailside Meadow



Outpost Camp



This one probably needs some clarification. Look closely at the rock slab in the center of the photo. It's wedged between the roots of a fallen over tree. One can't help but wonder how smart and strong the Whitney Black bears are...



That about does it for my photos of Mount Whitney. We arrived back at the trailhead around 1800 hours, and promptly regained some of the lost calories with a juicy bacon cheeseburger and root beer before heading to bed. I didn't get a picture, but the pancakes the Whitney Portal General Store sells are outrageous! They are easily 10 inches to a foot in diameter, and I have yet to see anyone eat the whole thing in one sitting...