Mt. Whitney

I started the hike at 2:30 AM. I hiked for 4 hours in the dark through an active bear area before I saw sunrise.

The best time for outdoor photography is sunrise or sunset. See if you agree.

Above the tree line, there are only rocks. Occasionally the barren landscape is adorned with green vegetation wherever there is water.

There is snow on top of Whitney even in the summer.

I reached the base camp (12000 ft) around 8AM just before the really treacherous part of the hike--i.e. the hundred switch-backs up toward the summit.

I saw these flowers on the rock everywhere along the switch-backs. Anyone knows what they are?

Trail Crest is 13,777 feet high.

One side of Trail Crest has the most amazing view. But the cold wind was blowing so hard that I could not really sit there to admire its beauty comfortably.

On the way down from Trail Crest, I witnessed the sigature scenery of Mt. Whitney.

Just below the tree line, the barren rock was puntuated by big trees and very few small plants.

Toward the base of Whitney, there is a lot of water and many beautiful plants.