Thursday, September 3. Driving into King's Canyon.

Karen at the Cedar Grove Lodge. The Lodge opens right onto the South Fork of the Kings.

I launched this trip with a really large pack ... and didn't suffer that much for it.

Day 1 - Friday, September 4. The permit station and the trailhead in the Ponderosa Pines.

A look up river from the Bailey Bridge, about 2 miles in.

A little higher now: a view down canyon.

Sphinx Junction and the trail to Avalanche Pass.

A little waterfall a few minutes farther up the trail.

Looking back as I get closer to Charlotte Creek. That's rain.

The trail to the Charlotte Creek bear box and camp area.

I set up at Charlotte Creek just as the first few drops were coming.

Bubbs Creek by camp.

Charlotte dome with a little sun as the shower clears.

Day 2 - Saturday, September 5. Up through the ferny white fir forest this morning.

Lower Junction Meadow Camp.

Lower Junction Meadow Camp.

Looking up toward East Lake and Lake Reflection. It's getting more sub-alpine.

Kearsarge Pinnacles ahead. Vidette Meadow is close.

Gentianopsis holopetala. Sierra Gentian.

Vidette Meadow.

Alpenglow on East Vidette and the Kearsarge Pinnacles.

Day 3 - Sunday, September 6. Layover day, I dayhiked north on the JMT. This is East Vidette from part way up the hill north of Vidette Meadow.

Up the rocky trail out of the Bubbs Creek valley.

Down to Charlotte Lake.