Topo of today's mostly uphill route from the Deer Creek trailhead. I had originally intended on doing a counterclockwise loop up to George Lake, but missed the turn and inintentionally headed up the Kaiser Peak trail. I was last on the peak on this trip 5 years ago.

I got to the D&F pack station trailhead a bit after 1am and curled up in the back for the night. Clear skies and very starry up at this elevatoin. The sun rose much earlier than I was planning on getting up in the morning. The culvert where I had gotten my car stuck in '03 was no longer there.

Deer Creek trailhead sign with a handwritten note from the backcountry rangers.

This was the sign that got me confused on the route. Should have veered right toward Potter Pass but instead ended up on the Kaiser Peak trail.

Kaiser Wilderness boundary sign.

The early trail paralleled Deer Creek for the first mile or so. Still a bit of water in the creek today.

Small waterfall in Deer Creek. There is a snow plant below the pine on the right. These endangered fungus-like pseudo flowers were past their peak bloom but suprisingly abundant on the lower elevations of the trail.

Hollow granite outcropping near the first vista point on the trail.

Early peek at Huntington lake through the trees.