The combination of the steep grade and the pack weight already had my ankle complaining.

The creek crossing at Poverty Flat. (Would really like a bridge here if the park service ever gets a budget again). A couple rangers in a pickup passed by as I was taking off my shoes for the crosssing. They were the only people I'd see today.

A brief flat section as the road passed the Poverty Flat campground.

Steeply up again as Poverty Flat road climbed over the end of the Blue Ridge

Junction with the Jackass Trail. This should have been near the southern boundary of the burn, but it was hard to tell with the grasslands. Definately much less grass than on my last visit

Over the ridge and ready to head down the steep section of Mahoney Meadow road to the left. Can now see the visibly burned Bear Mountain vicinity in the upper left.

More ankle pain on the steep descent down to the creek

Much less water than my last crossing at this point but still enough water to require shoe removal. I had an alarming moment where I dropped my shoe in the water and watched it start floating downstream. Was able to fish it out with my hiking pole before it drifted out of reach.

Looking upstream at the Coyote Creek crossing.