Hiking towards Palisades

A rocky stream flows through green bushes and scattered trees toward a calm lake, with barren granite mountains rising under a cloudy sky. Hiking towards Palisades at the top of the Golden Staircase.

This was a late summer trip, and the High Sierra was still green from the monsoon rains. The stream was running strong, fed by snowmelt and recent showers, and the clouds were building for another afternoon storm over the granite peaks.

Sierra Nevada, California · 2026