Many of the trees looked dead, but some were sprouting new branches.

Continuing north toward Mississippi Lake. The road was a hot, hilly, and exposed as I remembered.

Midway up an extremely steep (and unnecessary) climb over a minor ridge at the junction with the trail to Rat Spring. The creek downstream from Rat Spring was visible in the canyon to the east.

Charred Hillside with the highpoint of the ridge before beginning the descent toward Mississippi Lake.

Junction of the Pacheco Ridge and Willow Ridge roads. Left turn here towards the lake.

First glimpse of Mississippi Lake from the trail (pre fire shot)

Last bit of downhill toward the lake. Another mile along the western shore of the lake to the campsite.

Down to the lakeshore. The far side of the lake had gotten a fair bit of damage but the fire had stated higher on the ridge on the western side.

Stopped for the evening at the picnic area on the northwest corner of the lake. Sore and dehydrated and wondering what insanity had prompted me to drag a pack up here.