Topo and route for the day. (Blue ontrail, Pink off trail) from the China Camp trailhead in the bottom right. Miller is my 10th peak from the 15 highest Ventana Peaks list.

(The smudge near peaklet 4230 is a misclick while highlighting the route in photoshop, not a backcountry lake)

Hit the trail a bit later than usual, about an 8am start. Was warmer than I was expecting and I probably could have left my jacket behind. The Pine Ridge Trail was still in good shape from last year's trailwork.

Over the ridge and starting the descent toward Church Creek. No morning frost/dew today,

Early view of the Pine and Ventana Ridges. South Ventana Cone is the high point on the left, Ventana Cone in the center, and Ventana Double cone on the right.

Heading down to the Church Creek Divide.

Trailsign at the Church Creek Divide trail junction. (Finally some good lighting- I've taken some bad pictures of this sign over the years)

Heading down toward Pine Valley. There was water about a mile downcanyon from the divide and the gnats were still unseasonably active.

Into the namesake pines as Pine Valley approaches.

The first of the Pine Valley fields (and the one with the public campsites). All three campsites were empty when I passed in the morning, one of the three would be occupied when I returned.