JMT 2007

Final preparations to depart from Glacier Point trailhead - photo taken by Jane K. Allen. That sure is a nice white shirt... Trip narrative is at: http://bryanlallen.googlepages.com/jmt2007

2009-02-10T13:45:33Z

bryanlallen
Final preparations to depart from Glacier Point trailhead - photo taken by Jane K. Allen. That sure is a nice white shirt... Trip narrative is at: http://bryanlallen.googlepages.com/jmt2007

View of Half Dome and points East, from Glacier Point where I started my hike on July 4, 2007.

2009-06-25T12:50:51Z

bryanlallen
View of Half Dome and points East, from Glacier Point where I started my hike on July 4, 2007.

Liberty Cap and Nevada Fall, from West.

2009-06-25T12:43:33Z

bryanlallen
Liberty Cap and Nevada Fall, from West.

Half Dome, viewed from Southwest along the Panorama Cliff trail.

2009-06-25T12:34:57Z

bryanlallen
Half Dome, viewed from Southwest along the Panorama Cliff trail.

Meadows in Yosemite Valley, from Panorama trail between Glacier Point and Nevada Fall.

2009-02-10T18:51:10Z

bryanlallen
Meadows in Yosemite Valley, from Panorama trail between Glacier Point and Nevada Fall.

Yosemite Valley from Panorama trail; Yosemite Fall is in the shaded alcove on the far wall of the valley.

2009-02-10T18:49:09Z

bryanlallen
Yosemite Valley from Panorama trail; Yosemite Fall is in the shaded alcove on the far wall of the valley.

Liberty Cap, a small granite dome south of Half Dome, and the top portion of Nevada Fall.

2009-06-25T12:38:23Z

bryanlallen
Liberty Cap, a small granite dome south of Half Dome, and the top portion of Nevada Fall.

Sign at junction of Panorama and John Muir trails; from this point I stayed on the John Muir trail to its southern end.

2009-06-25T12:39:15Z

bryanlallen
Sign at junction of Panorama and John Muir trails; from this point I stayed on the John Muir trail to its southern end.

Nevada Fall (Merced River) as it plunges over the edge, taken from the Muir Trail bridge just above the precipice.

2009-02-10T18:49:44Z

bryanlallen
Nevada Fall (Merced River) as it plunges over the edge, taken from the Muir Trail bridge just above the precipice.

Park Service sign. I camped on top of Half Dome in the 1970's on a crystal-clear night when there was a very deep lunar eclipse - very cool! Wouldn't want to be up there if the weather was u ...

2009-02-10T18:50:42Z

bryanlallen
Park Service sign. I camped on top of Half Dome in the 1970's on a crystal-clear night when there was a very deep lunar eclipse - very cool! Wouldn't want to be up there if the weather was u ...

Half Dome from the rounded southern back side. Light line ascending from right to left is the area of the cable stairway, lighter in color as hikers over the years have worn through the pati ...

2009-06-25T12:36:55Z

bryanlallen
Half Dome from the rounded southern back side. Light line ascending from right to left is the area of the cable stairway, lighter in color as hikers over the years have worn through the pati ...

Another view of the cable stairway up Half Dome.

2009-06-25T12:38:57Z

bryanlallen
Another view of the cable stairway up Half Dome.

View to the southwest of numerous forested domes in Merced River drainage.

2009-02-10T18:51:44Z

bryanlallen
View to the southwest of numerous forested domes in Merced River drainage.

Trout in shallows of Sunrise Creek.

2009-06-25T12:47:58Z

bryanlallen
Trout in shallows of Sunrise Creek.

A rest stop during the ascent to Sunrise High Sierra Camp. Note darkened upper pantlegs; the temperature was in excess of 90 degrees F and I was taking the opportunity to soak my pantlegs an ...

2009-06-25T12:57:57Z

bryanlallen
A rest stop during the ascent to Sunrise High Sierra Camp. Note darkened upper pantlegs; the temperature was in excess of 90 degrees F and I was taking the opportunity to soak my pantlegs an ...

Western Azalea (Rhododendron occidentale)

2009-06-25T12:36:12Z

bryanlallen
Western Azalea (Rhododendron occidentale)

Burned area, with domes to south.

2009-06-25T12:38:17Z

bryanlallen
Burned area, with domes to south.

Another sock change along the trail; I swap out socks every hour or two and put the just-worn sweaty pairs on the back of my pack to dry. It was very hot that day, thus the rolled-up legs an ...

2009-06-25T12:39:59Z

bryanlallen
Another sock change along the trail; I swap out socks every hour or two and put the just-worn sweaty pairs on the back of my pack to dry. It was very hot that day, thus the rolled-up legs an ...

Meadow by Sunrise High Sierra Camp. Cathedral Peak is the multi-spired light-colored peak on the horizon toward the right, and Cathedral pass is the low area to its left.

2009-06-25T12:41:42Z

bryanlallen
Meadow by Sunrise High Sierra Camp. Cathedral Peak is the multi-spired light-colored peak on the horizon toward the right, and Cathedral pass is the low area to its left.

Meadow near Sunrise High Sierra Camp, and low un-named dome to east. The dinner bell for guests was ringing (clanging?) as I walked through here. Small pine trees in meadow are artifacts of ...

2009-02-10T18:51:20Z

bryanlallen
Meadow near Sunrise High Sierra Camp, and low un-named dome to east. The dinner bell for guests was ringing (clanging?) as I walked through here. Small pine trees in meadow are artifacts of ...

Belding Ground Squirrel (Citellus beldingi) with mouthful of grass for food or bedding. One older common name of this species is "picket pin", as they often sit bolt-upright and from a dista ...

2009-06-25T12:43:16Z

bryanlallen
Belding Ground Squirrel (Citellus beldingi) with mouthful of grass for food or bedding. One older common name of this species is "picket pin", as they often sit bolt-upright and from a dista ...

A few of the buildings of Sunrise High Sierra Camp.

2009-02-10T18:51:06Z

bryanlallen
A few of the buildings of Sunrise High Sierra Camp.

The middle portion of Long Meadow, looking north, with JMT visible on right. Columbia Finger is the prominent peak. The trail departs the meadow and goes to the east of Columbia Finger. I wa ...

2009-02-10T18:50:58Z

bryanlallen
The middle portion of Long Meadow, looking north, with JMT visible on right. Columbia Finger is the prominent peak. The trail departs the meadow and goes to the east of Columbia Finger. I wa ...

Along the JMT through Long Meadow.

2009-06-25T12:47:23Z

bryanlallen
Along the JMT through Long Meadow.

First night's camp along verge of Long Meadow just north of where the JMT turns away to the east. Two bearcans worth of food (22+ pounds!), as I was doing the trail nonstop and unresuppl ...

2009-06-25T12:37:04Z

bryanlallen
First night's camp along verge of Long Meadow just north of where the JMT turns away to the east. Two bearcans worth of food (22+ pounds!), as I was doing the trail nonstop and unresuppl ...

Back on trail next morning, heading east and north towards Cathedral Pass.

2009-06-25T12:40:22Z

bryanlallen
Back on trail next morning, heading east and north towards Cathedral Pass.

Looking towards southern peaks of Yosemite National Park backcountry.

2009-06-25T12:39:54Z

bryanlallen
Looking towards southern peaks of Yosemite National Park backcountry.

Approaching Cathedral Peak and Cathedral Pass from south.

2009-02-10T18:50:44Z

bryanlallen
Approaching Cathedral Peak and Cathedral Pass from south.

One of the Cathedral Lakes, Lake 9585, just west of JMT. My original trip-plan called for the first night's camp to be near here.

2009-06-25T12:39:24Z

bryanlallen
One of the Cathedral Lakes, Lake 9585, just west of JMT. My original trip-plan called for the first night's camp to be near here.

Multi-threaded trail, with older traces slowly filling in and recovering. Modern trail practices route trails along edges of meadows rather than through the middle like this portion.

2009-06-25T12:35:16Z

bryanlallen
Multi-threaded trail, with older traces slowly filling in and recovering. Modern trail practices route trails along edges of meadows rather than through the middle like this portion.

Cathedral Peak, 10,911 feet, in early-morning light.

2009-02-10T18:50:00Z

bryanlallen
Cathedral Peak, 10,911 feet, in early-morning light.

Old-fashioned "Tee" trail blaze. Saw several of these on now-dead trees along the trail in this area.

2009-02-10T18:48:40Z

bryanlallen
Old-fashioned "Tee" trail blaze. Saw several of these on now-dead trees along the trail in this area.

Just east of Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center, on cut-off trail which skirts southern edge of campgrounds and road.

2009-02-10T18:49:30Z

bryanlallen
Just east of Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center, on cut-off trail which skirts southern edge of campgrounds and road.

Drive-in campgrounds immediately north of trail. Could hear motor vehicles along highway. Had cell phone coverage in this area; called Jane to let her know how things were going and to make ...

2009-06-25T12:37:27Z

bryanlallen
Drive-in campgrounds immediately north of trail. Could hear motor vehicles along highway. Had cell phone coverage in this area; called Jane to let her know how things were going and to make ...

Lyell Fork of Tuolumne River. Ranger station is just north of here on other side of river.

2009-06-25T12:48:06Z

bryanlallen
Lyell Fork of Tuolumne River. Ranger station is just north of here on other side of river.

Ahhh!

2009-06-25T12:51:03Z

bryanlallen
Ahhh!

Lyell Fork. Pretty river.

2009-06-25T12:32:41Z

bryanlallen
Lyell Fork. Pretty river.

Starting up miles-long meadow along Lyell Canyon. Trail is now the route of both the JMT and the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT.)

2009-06-25T12:38:19Z

bryanlallen
Starting up miles-long meadow along Lyell Canyon. Trail is now the route of both the JMT and the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT.)

Multiple trail traces up Lyell Canyon.

2009-06-25T12:36:55Z

bryanlallen
Multiple trail traces up Lyell Canyon.

I'm mostly (but not absolutely) sure that this is Mimulus guttatus, Yellow Monkey Flower. There were quite a lot of flowers along this stretch of the trail, of numerous species.

2009-06-25T12:36:16Z

bryanlallen
I'm mostly (but not absolutely) sure that this is Mimulus guttatus, Yellow Monkey Flower. There were quite a lot of flowers along this stretch of the trail, of numerous species.

JMT/PCT, Lyell Canyon, and Lyell Fork.

2009-06-25T12:50:38Z

bryanlallen
JMT/PCT, Lyell Canyon, and Lyell Fork.

Lyell Fork. Water was very clear, and about ten feet deep at this location.

2009-02-10T18:51:05Z

bryanlallen
Lyell Fork. Water was very clear, and about ten feet deep at this location.

Quite a beautiful area.

2009-02-10T18:51:26Z

bryanlallen
Quite a beautiful area.

Downed timber; not sure whether it was from a blowdown (microburst) or an avalanche. Overcast, and a few rumbles of thunder off to the east. Cloud cover was welcome as it moderated the heat ...

2009-06-25T12:39:39Z

bryanlallen
Downed timber; not sure whether it was from a blowdown (microburst) or an avalanche. Overcast, and a few rumbles of thunder off to the east. Cloud cover was welcome as it moderated the heat ...

Along the trail. The couple in front was walking at about the same pace, and we leapfrogged past each other several times as they or I would take a photo or otherwise pause. Socks are drying ...

2009-06-25T12:32:56Z

bryanlallen
Along the trail. The couple in front was walking at about the same pace, and we leapfrogged past each other several times as they or I would take a photo or otherwise pause. Socks are drying ...

Approaching the upper end of Lyell Canyon, looking south. There were very light sprinkles from edge of heavier rain which was visible to north.

2009-06-25T12:39:55Z

bryanlallen
Approaching the upper end of Lyell Canyon, looking south. There were very light sprinkles from edge of heavier rain which was visible to north.

Mount Lyell and its glacier.

2009-06-25T12:34:53Z

bryanlallen
Mount Lyell and its glacier.

Western Mountain Garter Snake, Thamnophis elegans elegans.

2009-02-10T18:51:26Z

bryanlallen
Western Mountain Garter Snake, Thamnophis elegans elegans.

Climbing out of Lyell Canyon, looking back north, with final meanders of Lyell Fork in meadow below.

2009-06-25T12:49:04Z

bryanlallen
Climbing out of Lyell Canyon, looking back north, with final meanders of Lyell Fork in meadow below.

Detail of Lyell Fork meanders. Photo a bit soft due to slow shutter speed caused by clouds dimming the sunlight.

2009-06-25T12:32:47Z

bryanlallen
Detail of Lyell Fork meanders. Photo a bit soft due to slow shutter speed caused by clouds dimming the sunlight.

Lake at 10,200 feet on approach to Donahue Pass, looking south to Lyell Glacier. Several groups were camped in this area; I continued upwards.

2009-06-25T12:43:33Z

bryanlallen
Lake at 10,200 feet on approach to Donahue Pass, looking south to Lyell Glacier. Several groups were camped in this area; I continued upwards.

Collecting water from a small stream at 10,400 feet. I drink all my water "straight", without filtering, with a reasonable amount of care in choosing my sources. Trail shoes have been remove ...

2009-06-25T12:34:19Z

bryanlallen
Collecting water from a small stream at 10,400 feet. I drink all my water "straight", without filtering, with a reasonable amount of care in choosing my sources. Trail shoes have been remove ...

Camping near small tarn at 10,400 feet on northern approach to Donahue Pass, with Lyell Glacier in background to south. My trip plan called for camping on south side of pass, so I was still ...

2009-06-25T12:49:55Z

bryanlallen
Camping near small tarn at 10,400 feet on northern approach to Donahue Pass, with Lyell Glacier in background to south. My trip plan called for camping on south side of pass, so I was still ...

Day three of hike, July 6, looking south toward Lyell Glacier. Donahue Pass is almost due east of here.

2009-06-25T12:34:56Z

bryanlallen
Day three of hike, July 6, looking south toward Lyell Glacier. Donahue Pass is almost due east of here.

Reflection of Lyell Glacier and Lyell Ridge in small un-named tarn.

2009-02-10T18:46:42Z

bryanlallen
Reflection of Lyell Glacier and Lyell Ridge in small un-named tarn.

Looking north down Lyell Canyon from near the top of Donahue Pass. Visibility is a bit obstructed due to fires to north and east.

2009-02-10T18:45:40Z

bryanlallen
Looking north down Lyell Canyon from near the top of Donahue Pass. Visibility is a bit obstructed due to fires to north and east.

On the south side of Donahue pass, looking southeast. Perhaps uninviting from afar, this area was very nice up close, with lots of little streams, flowers, rodents, and butterflies.

2009-06-25T12:35:02Z

bryanlallen
On the south side of Donahue pass, looking southeast. Perhaps uninviting from afar, this area was very nice up close, with lots of little streams, flowers, rodents, and butterflies.

Flowers in abundance along the trail.

2009-02-10T18:49:54Z

bryanlallen
Flowers in abundance along the trail.

The yellow accents on these paintbrush (Castilleia pinetorum) were a bright surprise to me, as further south in the Sierra the yellow is muted or absent.

2009-06-25T12:46:48Z

bryanlallen
The yellow accents on these paintbrush (Castilleia pinetorum) were a bright surprise to me, as further south in the Sierra the yellow is muted or absent.

Banner Peak and Mount Ritter, with attendant glaciers and snowfields, taken from the vicinity of Island Pass.

2009-06-25T12:48:38Z

bryanlallen
Banner Peak and Mount Ritter, with attendant glaciers and snowfields, taken from the vicinity of Island Pass.

Banner Peak and Mount Ritter along the Ritter Range.

2009-06-25T12:30:46Z

bryanlallen
Banner Peak and Mount Ritter along the Ritter Range.

Approaching Thousand Island Lake.

2009-06-25T12:39:13Z

bryanlallen
Approaching Thousand Island Lake.

Thousand Island Lake, with Banner Peak and Ritter Range.

2009-02-10T18:49:40Z

bryanlallen
Thousand Island Lake, with Banner Peak and Ritter Range.

Enormous intrusive dikes slice through the Northeast neck of Thousand Island Lake.

2009-06-25T12:58:09Z

bryanlallen
Enormous intrusive dikes slice through the Northeast neck of Thousand Island Lake.

Glacially-deposited erratic boulders on the shore of Thousand Island Lake.

2009-06-25T12:34:58Z

bryanlallen
Glacially-deposited erratic boulders on the shore of Thousand Island Lake.

A very nice log bridge spanning the outlet of Thousand Island Lake. The Forest Service seems to have their act together, placing sturdy and attractive bridges at all the large stream crossin ...

2009-06-25T12:39:00Z

bryanlallen
A very nice log bridge spanning the outlet of Thousand Island Lake. The Forest Service seems to have their act together, placing sturdy and attractive bridges at all the large stream crossin ...

Ruby Lake (looks more like turquoise to me...)

2009-06-25T12:47:13Z

bryanlallen
Ruby Lake (looks more like turquoise to me...)

Approaching Garnet Lake, very reminiscent of 1000 Is. Lake but a bit smaller. Very interesting and jumbled geology throughout this area.

2009-06-25T12:33:07Z

bryanlallen
Approaching Garnet Lake, very reminiscent of 1000 Is. Lake but a bit smaller. Very interesting and jumbled geology throughout this area.

Garnet Lake, Banner Peak (to right), and Mount Ritter (actually about 200 feet higher than Banner) at center.

2009-06-25T12:33:23Z

bryanlallen
Garnet Lake, Banner Peak (to right), and Mount Ritter (actually about 200 feet higher than Banner) at center.

Garnet Lake.

2009-06-25T12:36:16Z

bryanlallen
Garnet Lake.

The pine trees in this region were producing great clouds of pollen; this is a spot where the prevailing wind has collected some of that pollen along the shoreline of Garnet Lake.

2009-06-25T12:38:00Z

bryanlallen
The pine trees in this region were producing great clouds of pollen; this is a spot where the prevailing wind has collected some of that pollen along the shoreline of Garnet Lake.

Mountain White-crowned Sparrow, Zonotrichia leucophrys oriantha; this individual was chirping quite a bit from the relative safety of its piney perch by the shore of Garnet Lake.

2009-06-25T12:34:15Z

bryanlallen
Mountain White-crowned Sparrow, Zonotrichia leucophrys oriantha; this individual was chirping quite a bit from the relative safety of its piney perch by the shore of Garnet Lake.

bryanlallen's photo

2009-02-10T18:45:44Z

bryanlallen

bryanlallen's photo

2009-06-25T12:37:14Z

bryanlallen

Bridge over Shadow Creek near outlet of Shadow Lake.

2009-02-10T18:43:36Z

bryanlallen
Bridge over Shadow Creek near outlet of Shadow Lake.

Shadow Lake

2009-02-10T18:45:44Z

bryanlallen
Shadow Lake

Rosalie Lake

2009-06-25T12:40:52Z

bryanlallen
Rosalie Lake

Gladys Lake

2009-06-25T12:40:20Z

bryanlallen
Gladys Lake

Descending towards Johnston Meadow. My feet were really protesting by this point. Note that I'm carrying the pack with only one shoulder strap; it's nice to alternate back and forth occasion ...

2009-06-25T12:36:58Z

bryanlallen
Descending towards Johnston Meadow. My feet were really protesting by this point. Note that I'm carrying the pack with only one shoulder strap; it's nice to alternate back and forth occasion ...

Looking west up the Minaret Creek drainage from just above Johnston Meadow. It was a LONG day...

2009-06-25T12:35:37Z

bryanlallen
Looking west up the Minaret Creek drainage from just above Johnston Meadow. It was a LONG day...

At the start of day four, looking down on a meadow along the Middle Fork San Joaquin River in Devils Postpile National Monument. There was cell phone coverage here and I was able to call Jan ...

2009-06-25T12:39:03Z

bryanlallen
At the start of day four, looking down on a meadow along the Middle Fork San Joaquin River in Devils Postpile National Monument. There was cell phone coverage here and I was able to call Jan ...

Looking southeast over Middle Fork San Joaquin canyon. In distance is an area where fire took out the forest a few years ago; the Muir Trail transits through that area.

2009-06-25T12:39:09Z

bryanlallen
Looking southeast over Middle Fork San Joaquin canyon. In distance is an area where fire took out the forest a few years ago; the Muir Trail transits through that area.

Area of JMT/PCT where fire recently reduced most of the underbrush. This portion of the trail was quite lonely-feeling since all the hiking traffic seems to be along the Middle Fork just to ...

2009-02-10T18:45:57Z

bryanlallen
Area of JMT/PCT where fire recently reduced most of the underbrush. This portion of the trail was quite lonely-feeling since all the hiking traffic seems to be along the Middle Fork just to ...

Beautifully-crafted wooden bridge over the Middle Fork San Joaquin river.

2009-06-25T12:32:20Z

bryanlallen
Beautifully-crafted wooden bridge over the Middle Fork San Joaquin river.

The moon was in its waning phase during my hike.

2009-06-25T12:48:30Z

bryanlallen
The moon was in its waning phase during my hike.

Discarding trash-to-date at a trailhead near Reds Meadow Resort and pack-station. Might have lightened my pack by three or four ounces...

2009-06-25T12:36:20Z

bryanlallen
Discarding trash-to-date at a trailhead near Reds Meadow Resort and pack-station. Might have lightened my pack by three or four ounces...

This is the only filtered/treated water I drank during my hike.

2009-06-25T12:36:35Z

bryanlallen
This is the only filtered/treated water I drank during my hike.

Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel, Citellus lateralis, in burned area south of Reds Meadow.

2009-06-25T12:37:34Z

bryanlallen
Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel, Citellus lateralis, in burned area south of Reds Meadow.

Burned area south of Reds Meadow. Crown fires which take out the entire forest like this are the unfortunate by-product of the fire-suppression policies of the 19th and 20th centuries.

2009-06-25T12:33:55Z

bryanlallen
Burned area south of Reds Meadow. Crown fires which take out the entire forest like this are the unfortunate by-product of the fire-suppression policies of the 19th and 20th centuries.

Looking northwest to general area I'd hiked through during the latter part of the previous day.

2009-06-25T12:36:44Z

bryanlallen
Looking northwest to general area I'd hiked through during the latter part of the previous day.

One of the Red Cones along the trail, a volcanic spatter cone. This area is volcanically and seismically active, with the Long Valley Caldera just to the east.

2009-06-25T12:38:24Z

bryanlallen
One of the Red Cones along the trail, a volcanic spatter cone. This area is volcanically and seismically active, with the Long Valley Caldera just to the east.

Looking to southeast in the direction the JMT leads, along the west side of the Mammoth Crest.

2009-06-25T12:35:50Z

bryanlallen
Looking to southeast in the direction the JMT leads, along the west side of the Mammoth Crest.

The blackflies were very numerous starting at Red Cones and points south for a couple of days. They really gravitate to upraised knees or other dorsal surfaces. Their bite will draw a welt o ...

2009-06-25T12:36:39Z

bryanlallen
The blackflies were very numerous starting at Red Cones and points south for a couple of days. They really gravitate to upraised knees or other dorsal surfaces. Their bite will draw a welt o ...

Looking west from JMT along Fish Valley and San Joaquin River drainage.

2009-06-25T12:47:50Z

bryanlallen
Looking west from JMT along Fish Valley and San Joaquin River drainage.

Looking southeast; Cascade Valley below. I started to notice what looked like smoke peeking above the crest to the south and east.

2009-02-10T18:45:31Z

bryanlallen
Looking southeast; Cascade Valley below. I started to notice what looked like smoke peeking above the crest to the south and east.

Sky to east looking a bit hazy and perhaps smoky.

2009-06-25T12:29:58Z

bryanlallen
Sky to east looking a bit hazy and perhaps smoky.

An interesting small pass between the Purple Lake and Lake Virginia drainages which the JMT/PCT goes through.

2009-06-25T12:55:42Z

bryanlallen
An interesting small pass between the Purple Lake and Lake Virginia drainages which the JMT/PCT goes through.

Purple Lake. A group of several hikers were skinny-dipping along the opposite shore.

2009-06-25T12:34:53Z

bryanlallen
Purple Lake. A group of several hikers were skinny-dipping along the opposite shore.

Purple Lake. The very-worn sign in the foreground points left to Duck Lake, right to Virginia Lake, and both directions for PCT & JMT. The mosquitoes were moderately annoying here, since eve ...

2009-06-25T12:49:15Z

bryanlallen
Purple Lake. The very-worn sign in the foreground points left to Duck Lake, right to Virginia Lake, and both directions for PCT & JMT. The mosquitoes were moderately annoying here, since eve ...

Interesting rock-slide in small pass between Purple Lake and Lake Virginia. The rock appeared to be a heavily-modified granite, crumbly and jumbled.

2009-06-25T13:01:40Z

bryanlallen
Interesting rock-slide in small pass between Purple Lake and Lake Virginia. The rock appeared to be a heavily-modified granite, crumbly and jumbled.