For our final trip into the Sierras this year we decided to attempt another summit we've always been talking about, Cirque Peak.
As always in this area, we spent a freezing night acclimatizing at the trailhead parking lot.
We had beautiful blue skies as we got an early start to our campsite.
We've seen these lakes many times before, and they're always a welcome sight after hiking through the forests down below.
Temperatures are changing fast as winter approaches, and the lakes were beginning to freeze.
Mt. Langley in the background. Thankfully we weren't here to summit that monster again!
Standing in front of Cottonwood Lake #3 with Cirque Peak in the background.
Glassy waters and perfect reflections.
We set up camp, had a little food, and headed up New Army Pass on the way to the summit.
Last time we were at this pass we turned right to go up Langley. This time we turned left off the trail to get to Cirque Peak.
Only a mile to the summit, at this point the altitude starts to become a real factor.
After about 10 miles, several false summits and 3,300 feet elevation gain we reached the summit of Cirque Peak.
12,900 feet.
We had amazing views as the sun began to set.
The shadow of Cirque Peak over Owens Valley.
We timed it perfectly and watched an amazing sunset over layers and layers of mountains. We were too cold and tired, but we also saw the comet and an incredible moonrise.
We were so happy to finally have summited this fun mountain. After getting back to camp, we had a cold night sleep, then hiked our way back down the next day followed by the long drive home.