9-17-17

Lupine and some un-ID'd yellow flower blooming around 8500 ft, in the upper basin of the Squaw Valley ski resort. I assume they'd been covered with snow till just recently. As it is, the snow is likely to return in a month or so!

Upper part of Squaw Valley Ski Resort, Sierra Nevada, California. Part of this area (but not the part shown here) was the site of the 1960 Winter Olympics. The silhouetted lift is Siberia Express. The butte-like knoll on the skyline to the right (8797 ft/2681 m) is unnamed. The prominent trail in the center is part of the (mostly defunct) Western States Trail. The resort runs the tramway, with big enclosed cars, up to this basin in the summer for hikers--you can even bring your dog! The inset pic is a view farther to the right, showing more of the Sierra crest to the north including Tinker Knob. Since this pic was taken a week and a half ago, an early snowfall has covered much of the visible area!

Siberia Express lift at upper left; Emigrant Peak just right of center; Tinker Knob in the distance on the skyline at extreme right.