We headed out on our last day of our multiday backpacking trip through Kings Canyon National Park on our easiest pass up and over Kearsarge Pass at 11,709 feet, with another 14 mile day.  This was by far the easiest day, with our lungs acclimated to the altitude from the days past, but also due to the 5 mile downward hike making up a third of our trip.  Actually two thirds of our trip would be downhill as seen below.

We started off as we always do, fill up our water and head out at the crack of dawn.  We needed to head out early today, since we still had a five hour drive south back to the City of Angels.  This gave us prime lighting for some photos on past the Kern-Kings Divide.

The sun was just peaking over the Kings Canyon mountain range, giving us an amazing light show.

As we headed down, the landscape turned greener.  This was also because we were following the path of the water as well.

With more clear skies from the previous days, it was a welcome sight to finally see some color and clouds.  I always love the glowing clouds during sunset or sunrise, since it adds a little more drama to the scene.  I’ve also grown to miss these clouds, since Southern California provides a constant and often bland weather pattern of sunny days and foggy mornings.

A view of the canyon we would be hiking down, with Melody.

As we were hiking down, we also noticed an avalanche or rockfall from the cliffs above.

This was almost accentuated but the sun kissing the range as we continued to hike down.

And another of Melody hiking down the Pacific Crest Trail as the sun attempts to peak its way through the clouds.

A view of the water we followed down the Pacific Crest Trail to Kearsarge pass.

Luke and Haley, with Luke finally able to breath!

And then we started fro the brush earlier, to passing through these tree forests.

We ended up stopping by Bullfrog Lake, since I never made it this far when I went backpacking with Melody through Kearsarge Pass.  Unfortunately the good light ended, and a blanket of clouds enveloped the skies above to provided a more flat and subtle look.

Taking advantage of some light spots on the mountain range ahead of us with a calm Bullfrog Lake.

And we headed away from Bullfrog Lake, with a storm brewing from behind us.

We headed up, and found Kearsage Lakes below, with the pinnacles towering over them.

And my last look back at where we hiked from, down to Bullfrog Lake.

I ended up taking another photo of a view I had earlier, this time the lighting wasn’t as interesting, but the landscape still provides some breathtaking views.

And we head up and over resting on top of Kearsarge Lake with Wyatt.

Mel and Kel, the obligatory tripod selfie.

And lastly, with our group finally together a group photo at the end of our journey on top of Kearsarge Pass, with only a short 5 mile hike back down to Onion Valley where we would split up and head home.

So long, a view up towards the pinnacles of Kings Canyon and out of the National Park.