The vegetation and landscape sure changed with the altitude. This afternoon has been so much what I was hoping for. The soaring granite peaks. Thick pine forest with giant cones and a bed of soft needles just off the path, and all the smells that go with it. There have been oak patches where the acorns and leaves cover the trail inches deep and small clumps of snow after passing Red Tahquitz. I just couldn’t stop taking photos, especially of the clouds rolling over the passes below me. There were some scary places along here. Steep rock on the left, 1 foot of shale path, huge drop off to the right.