Mammoth Crest Loop CW, September 15, 2026

Frank continues up toward Duck Pass.

Frank continues up toward Duck Pass.

Title: Frank continues up toward Duck Pass.
Exposure: 125, ¹⁄₆₄₀ sec at f/5.6
Focal Length: 28 mm
Camera and Lens: SONY DSC-RX100 28-100mm F1.8-4.9
Datetime: Image captured on September 15, 2026 at 10:50:54 AM.

Stella approaches Barney Lake. Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.

Stella approaches Barney Lake.

Title: Stella approaches Barney Lake.
Exposure: 200, ¹⁄₃₂₀ sec at f/10
Focal Length: 28 mm
Camera and Lens: OLYMPUS CORPORATION E-M10 Mark III OLYMPUS M.14-42mm F3.5-5.6 II R
Datetime: Image captured on September 15, 2026 at 10:56:39 AM.

Bill checks out the crossing of Coldwater Creek on logs instead of rocks. The rocks were easier and safer. Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.

Bill checks out the crossing of Coldwater Creek on logs instead of rocks.

Title: Bill checks out the crossing of Coldwater Creek on logs instead of rocks.
Exposure: 200, ¹⁄₃₂₀ sec at f/10
Focal Length: 28 mm
Camera and Lens: OLYMPUS CORPORATION E-M10 Mark III OLYMPUS M.14-42mm F3.5-5.6 II R
Datetime: Image captured on September 15, 2026 at 11:02:25 AM.

Frank crosses on the rocks.

Frank crosses on the rocks.

Title: Frank crosses on the rocks.
Exposure: 125, ¹⁄₅₀₀ sec at f/5.6
Focal Length: 28 mm
Camera and Lens: SONY DSC-RX100 28-100mm F1.8-4.9
Datetime: Image captured on September 15, 2026 at 11:05:48 AM.

Bill heads up toward Duck Pass. Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.

Bill heads up toward Duck Pass.

Title: Bill heads up toward Duck Pass.
Exposure: 200, ¹⁄₄₀₀ sec at f/11
Focal Length: 28 mm
Camera and Lens: OLYMPUS CORPORATION E-M10 Mark III OLYMPUS M.14-42mm F3.5-5.6 II R
Datetime: Image captured on September 15, 2026 at 11:21:01 AM.

View toward Barney Lake and Duck Pass Trail. Frank is below.

View toward Barney Lake and Duck Pass Trail.

Title: View toward Barney Lake and Duck Pass Trail.
Exposure: 125, ¹⁄₁₀₀₀ sec at f/6.3
Focal Length: 28 mm
Camera and Lens: SONY DSC-RX100 28-100mm F1.8-4.9
Datetime: Image captured on September 15, 2026 at 11:29:19 AM.

Bill and Stella continue to Duck Pass. Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.

Bill and Stella continue to Duck Pass.

Title: Bill and Stella continue to Duck Pass.
Exposure: 200, ¹⁄₃₂₀ sec at f/11
Focal Length: 78 mm
Camera and Lens: OLYMPUS CORPORATION E-M10 Mark III OLYMPUS M.14-42mm F3.5-5.6 II R
Datetime: Image captured on September 15, 2026 at 11:35:56 AM.

Frank reaches Duck Pass.

Frank reaches Duck Pass.

Title: Frank reaches Duck Pass.
Exposure: 125, ¹⁄₈₀₀ sec at f/6.3
Focal Length: 28 mm
Camera and Lens: SONY DSC-RX100 28-100mm F1.8-4.9
Datetime: Image captured on September 15, 2026 at 11:58:07 AM.

Valentine Peak We climbed this peak in 2017 and got caught in a short rain squal that forced a rapid retreat.

Valentine Peak

Title: Valentine Peak
Exposure: 125, ¹⁄₈₀₀ sec at f/5.6
Focal Length: 65 mm
Camera and Lens: SONY DSC-RX100 28-100mm F1.8-4.9
Datetime: Image captured on September 15, 2026 at 12:04:52 PM.

Duck Lake

Duck Lake

Title: Duck Lake
Exposure: 125, ¹⁄₈₀₀ sec at f/5.6
Focal Length: 28 mm
Camera and Lens: SONY DSC-RX100 28-100mm F1.8-4.9
Datetime: Image captured on September 15, 2026 at 12:04:58 PM.

Bill and Stella work their way toward Deer Pass (upper left). Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.

Bill and Stella work their way toward Deer Pass (upper left).

Title: Bill and Stella work their way toward Deer Pass (upper left).
Exposure: 200, ¹⁄₅₀₀ sec at f/11
Focal Length: 28 mm
Camera and Lens: OLYMPUS CORPORATION E-M10 Mark III OLYMPUS M.14-42mm F3.5-5.6 II R
Datetime: Image captured on September 15, 2026 at 12:36:04 PM.

Frank and Stella on a well-worn use trail to Deer Pass.

Frank and Stella on a well-worn use trail to Deer Pass.

Title: Frank and Stella on a well-worn use trail to Deer Pass.
Exposure: 125, ¹⁄₈₀₀ sec at f/6.3
Focal Length: 47 mm
Camera and Lens: SONY DSC-RX100 28-100mm F1.8-4.9
Datetime: Image captured on September 15, 2026 at 1:01:16 PM.

Frank and Stella descend west from Deer Pass.

Frank and Stella descend west from Deer Pass.

Title: Frank and Stella descend west from Deer Pass.
Exposure: 125, ¹⁄₈₀₀ sec at f/7.1
Focal Length: 28 mm
Camera and Lens: SONY DSC-RX100 28-100mm F1.8-4.9
Datetime: Image captured on September 15, 2026 at 1:03:22 PM.

Bill heads toward the descent of the "Rock Pile" to Deer Lakes. Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.

Bill heads toward the descent of the "Rock Pile" to Deer Lakes.

Title: Bill heads toward the descent of the "Rock Pile" to Deer Lakes.
Exposure: 200, ¹⁄₆₄₀ sec at f/11
Focal Length: 28 mm
Camera and Lens: OLYMPUS CORPORATION E-M10 Mark III OLYMPUS M.14-42mm F3.5-5.6 II R
Datetime: Image captured on September 15, 2026 at 1:05:00 PM.

High plateau near Deer Pass on Mammoth Crest.

High plateau near Deer Pass on Mammoth Crest.

Title: High plateau near Deer Pass on Mammoth Crest.
Exposure: 125, ¹⁄₈₀₀ sec at f/7.1
Focal Length: 28 mm
Camera and Lens: SONY DSC-RX100 28-100mm F1.8-4.9
Datetime: Image captured on September 15, 2026 at 1:05:40 PM.

Stella and Frank take a break below Deer Pass while a trail runner passes by.

Stella and Frank take a break below Deer Pass while a trail runner passes by.

Title: Stella and Frank take a break below Deer Pass while a trail runner passes by.
Exposure: 125, ¹⁄₈₀₀ sec at f/7.1
Focal Length: 95 mm
Camera and Lens: SONY DSC-RX100 28-100mm F1.8-4.9
Datetime: Image captured on September 15, 2026 at 1:09:56 PM.

Frank and Stella start down the Rock Pile.

Frank and Stella start down the Rock Pile.

Title: Frank and Stella start down the Rock Pile.
Exposure: 125, ¹⁄₈₀₀ sec at f/5.6
Focal Length: 28 mm
Camera and Lens: SONY DSC-RX100 28-100mm F1.8-4.9
Datetime: Image captured on September 15, 2026 at 1:25:31 PM.

Bill descends the Rock Pile toward Deer Lakes. Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.

Bill descends the Rock Pile toward Deer Lakes.

Title: Bill descends the Rock Pile toward Deer Lakes.
Exposure: , at
Camera and Lens: OLYMPUS CORPORATION E-M10 Mark III
Datetime: Image captured on September 15, 2026 at 1:26:44 PM.

Frank and Stella continue down the steep part of the Rock Pile.

Frank and Stella continue down the steep part of the Rock Pile.

Title: Frank and Stella continue down the steep part of the Rock Pile.
Exposure: 125, ¹⁄₈₀₀ sec at f/6.3
Focal Length: 28 mm
Camera and Lens: SONY DSC-RX100 28-100mm F1.8-4.9
Datetime: Image captured on September 15, 2026 at 1:27:17 PM.

Sometimes a sit-scoot is easier when descending.

Sometimes a sit-scoot is easier when descending.

Title: Sometimes a sit-scoot is easier when descending.
Exposure: 125, ¹⁄₈₀₀ sec at f/6.3
Focal Length: 28 mm
Camera and Lens: SONY DSC-RX100 28-100mm F1.8-4.9
Datetime: Image captured on September 15, 2026 at 1:37:01 PM.

Stella and Frank near the bottom of the Rock Pile.

Stella and Frank near the bottom of the Rock Pile.

Title: Stella and Frank near the bottom of the Rock Pile.
Exposure: 125, ¹⁄₈₀₀ sec at f/6.3
Focal Length: 28 mm
Camera and Lens: SONY DSC-RX100 28-100mm F1.8-4.9
Datetime: Image captured on September 15, 2026 at 1:39:53 PM.

Frank and Stella leave the Rock Pile (left) and continue on a nice use trail to Deer Lakes.

Frank and Stella leave the Rock Pile (left) and continue on a nice use trail to Deer Lakes.

Title: Frank and Stella leave the Rock Pile (left) and continue on a nice use trail to Deer Lakes.
Exposure: 125, ¹⁄₈₀₀ sec at f/5.6
Focal Length: 28 mm
Camera and Lens: SONY DSC-RX100 28-100mm F1.8-4.9
Datetime: Image captured on September 15, 2026 at 1:43:30 PM.

Middle Deer Lake We stopped for lunch next to these rocks.

Middle Deer Lake

Title: Middle Deer Lake
Exposure: 125, ¹⁄₈₀₀ sec at f/5.6
Focal Length: 28 mm
Camera and Lens: SONY DSC-RX100 28-100mm F1.8-4.9
Datetime: Image captured on September 15, 2026 at 2:01:21 PM.

Group photo at Middle Deer Lake (l to r): Stella, Frank, Bill.

Group photo at Middle Deer Lake

Title: Group photo at Middle Deer Lake
Exposure: 125, ¹⁄₈₀₀ sec at f/6.3
Focal Length: 100 mm
Camera and Lens: SONY DSC-RX100 28-100mm F1.8-4.9
Datetime: Image captured on September 15, 2026 at 2:27:29 PM.

Stella and Frank along the high point of Mammoth Crest Trail. The smoke plume is from the Dome Fire that has just started near Wawona, Yosemite.

Stella and Frank along the high point of Mammoth Crest Trail.

Title: Stella and Frank along the high point of Mammoth Crest Trail.
Exposure: 125, ¹⁄₈₀₀ sec at f/6.3
Focal Length: 28 mm
Camera and Lens: SONY DSC-RX100 28-100mm F1.8-4.9
Datetime: Image captured on September 15, 2026 at 3:18:22 PM.

Ritter Range from Mammoth Crest. Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.

Ritter Range from Mammoth Crest.

Title: Ritter Range from Mammoth Crest.
Exposure: 200, ¹⁄₄₀₀ sec at f/11
Focal Length: 84 mm
Camera and Lens: OLYMPUS CORPORATION E-M10 Mark III OLYMPUS M.14-42mm F3.5-5.6 II R
Datetime: Image captured on September 15, 2026 at 3:18:28 PM.

A cleft in Mammoth Crest.

A cleft in Mammoth Crest.

Title: A cleft in Mammoth Crest.
Exposure: 125, ¹⁄₈₀₀ sec at f/6.3
Focal Length: 28 mm
Camera and Lens: SONY DSC-RX100 28-100mm F1.8-4.9
Datetime: Image captured on September 15, 2026 at 3:31:57 PM.

Frank descends Mammoth Crest toward the Ritter Range.

Frank descends Mammoth Crest toward the Ritter Range.

Title: Frank descends Mammoth Crest toward the Ritter Range.
Exposure: 125, ¹⁄₈₀₀ sec at f/7.1
Focal Length: 28 mm
Camera and Lens: SONY DSC-RX100 28-100mm F1.8-4.9
Datetime: Image captured on September 15, 2026 at 3:36:20 PM.

Frank and Stella cross the moonscape portion of Mammoth Crest. Ritter Range is in the distance.

Frank and Stella cross the moonscape portion of Mammoth Crest.

Title: Frank and Stella cross the moonscape portion of Mammoth Crest.
Exposure: 125, ¹⁄₈₀₀ sec at f/6.3
Focal Length: 80 mm
Camera and Lens: SONY DSC-RX100 28-100mm F1.8-4.9
Datetime: Image captured on September 15, 2026 at 4:26:34 PM.

Frank and Stella continue on Mammoth Crest.

Frank and Stella continue on Mammoth Crest.

Title: Frank and Stella continue on Mammoth Crest.
Exposure: 125, ¹⁄₈₀₀ sec at f/7.1
Focal Length: 92 mm
Camera and Lens: SONY DSC-RX100 28-100mm F1.8-4.9
Datetime: Image captured on September 15, 2026 at 4:29:01 PM.

Crystal Crag and Boundary Peak (both white) from Mammoth Crest.

Crystal Crag and Boundary Peak (both white) from Mammoth Crest.

Title: Crystal Crag and Boundary Peak (both white) from Mammoth Crest.
Exposure: 125, ¹⁄₁₀₀₀ sec at f/8.0
Focal Length: 91 mm
Camera and Lens: SONY DSC-RX100 28-100mm F1.8-4.9
Datetime: Image captured on September 15, 2026 at 4:44:03 PM.

Stella models Crystal Crag.

Stella models Crystal Crag.

Title: Stella models Crystal Crag.
Exposure: 125, ¹⁄₁₀₀₀ sec at f/8.0
Focal Length: 36 mm
Camera and Lens: SONY DSC-RX100 28-100mm F1.8-4.9
Datetime: Image captured on September 15, 2026 at 4:45:37 PM.

Stella models the view of Crystal Crag and the Mammoth Lakes Basin.

Stella models the view of Crystal Crag and the Mammoth Lakes Basin.

Title: Stella models the view of Crystal Crag and the Mammoth Lakes Basin.
Exposure: 125, ¹⁄₆₄₀ sec at f/5.6
Focal Length: 38 mm
Camera and Lens: SONY DSC-RX100 28-100mm F1.8-4.9
Datetime: Image captured on September 15, 2026 at 5:08:02 PM.

Lake Mary and Sherwin Crest from Mammoth Crest.

Lake Mary and Sherwin Crest from Mammoth Crest.

Title: Lake Mary and Sherwin Crest from Mammoth Crest.
Exposure: 125, ¹⁄₈₀₀ sec at f/5.6
Focal Length: 28 mm
Camera and Lens: SONY DSC-RX100 28-100mm F1.8-4.9
Datetime: Image captured on September 15, 2026 at 5:14:11 PM.

Crystal Crag, north ridge detail, west perspective. We climbed this ridge in 2024.

Crystal Crag, north ridge detail, west perspective.

Title: Crystal Crag, north ridge detail, west perspective.
Exposure: 125, ¹⁄₈₀₀ sec at f/5.6
Focal Length: 100 mm
Camera and Lens: SONY DSC-RX100 28-100mm F1.8-4.9
Datetime: Image captured on September 15, 2026 at 5:15:09 PM.

Horseshoe Lake is still low this year. Mammoth Mountain is at the center left.

Horseshoe Lake is still low this year.

Title: Horseshoe Lake is still low this year.
Exposure: 125, ¹⁄₃₂₀ sec at f/5.6
Focal Length: 28 mm
Camera and Lens: SONY DSC-RX100 28-100mm F1.8-4.9
Datetime: Image captured on September 15, 2026 at 5:27:10 PM.

Crystal Crag, north ridge detail, north perspective. We climbed this ridge in 2024.

Crystal Crag, north ridge detail, north perspective.

Title: Crystal Crag, north ridge detail, north perspective.
Exposure: 125, ¹⁄₃₂₀ sec at f/5.6
Focal Length: 89 mm
Camera and Lens: SONY DSC-RX100 28-100mm F1.8-4.9
Datetime: Image captured on September 15, 2026 at 5:55:35 PM.

Mammoth Lakes Basin at end of day.

Mammoth Lakes Basin at end of day.

Title: Mammoth Lakes Basin at end of day.
Exposure: 125, ¹⁄₂₅₀ sec at f/5.6
Focal Length: 28 mm
Camera and Lens: SONY DSC-RX100 28-100mm F1.8-4.9
Datetime: Image captured on September 15, 2026 at 5:55:47 PM.

Looks like they may have fit together at some time in the past. Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.

Looks like they may have fit together at some time in the past.

Title: Looks like they may have fit together at some time in the past.
Exposure: 400, ¹⁄₄₀ sec at f/4.0
Focal Length: 40 mm
Camera and Lens: OLYMPUS CORPORATION E-M10 Mark III OLYMPUS M.14-42mm F3.5-5.6 II R
Datetime: Image captured on September 15, 2026 at 6:19:42 PM.

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