I didn't bring snow gear (Axe was in the car, crampons at home) so I was eyeing that snowfield with come concern. I thought I could downclimb down to the broad section in the middle, but I couldn't tell if the steeper section in the distance was traversable.

Looking back up at the cornice after downclimbing the first section.

Continuing down toward George Lake.

This is as far as I got. The snow here was too steep to safely traverse in trail shoes and the rocks on the side were beyond my scrambling abilities. Thus I turned around and started the steep scramble/climb back up to the saddle. (Here's a shot of this section in the summer

Back at the saddle, ready to head back down the main trail.

The "Lone windswept pine" from the earlier shot from the other side. Passed 3 parties heading up toward the peak on my way down (one with a dog)

Back to the car a bit before 3 and then headed out to Shaver Lake for dinner and then to the Courtright Resevior for tomorrow's outing.

Album: Kaiser Panorama