In August I returned to the Ansel Adams Wilderness for a 3-night/4-day backpacking loop, visiting several high lakes along the Sierra Crest. My favorite Milky Way shot of the previous trip was slightly blurred and I wanted to do better. I returned to the same location for the first night. For the photo below, I took a series of 12 shots for the sky at 11pm. After that, I went back to sleep until 1:30am, at which time I took another shot as the rising crescent moon cast its soft light on the landscape.

The second day took us on cross-country route over two passes and into a wonderful glacial valley filled with cascading waterfalls and late-season flowers.

One of the highlights of the 3rd day was climbing down a challenging pass. Another was approaching this high lake-filled basin (pictured below).

Before leaving on our 4th day, I ventured around the lake looking for photo opportunities. The picture below is a four-photo hand-held panorama stitch.

I have many more photos from this trip. Click here to see them.