![](http://vitaminc.smugmug.com/Backpacking/YNP201307/i-VrJ76xJ/0/L/20130719_YNP_map-L.jpg)
Made a nice loop around Kuna, Mammoth, and other peaks. It was cool to see them from two sides during the trip. Interactive map here
![](http://vitaminc.smugmug.com/Backpacking/YNP201307/i-KD4PmvK/0/L/20130719_YNP_elevation-L.jpg)
That 12k ft pass was a tough challenge for day 1! Days 2 and (especially) 3 weren't quite as punishing.
Day 1
![](http://vitaminc.smugmug.com/Backpacking/YNP201307/i-zF2H8ng/0/L/IMGP4212-L.jpg)
Flowers everywhere!
![](http://vitaminc.smugmug.com/Backpacking/YNP201307/i-sj8dRbv/0/L/IMGP4235-L.jpg)
This area smelled so good!
![grinning smiley grinning smiley](https://yosemitenews.info/forum/mods/smileys/images/smilie5.gif)
![](http://vitaminc.smugmug.com/Backpacking/YNP201307/i-RsKJKGG/0/L/IMGP4246-L.jpg)
Flower field near Parker Pass.
![](http://vitaminc.smugmug.com/Backpacking/YNP201307/i-8StHMG9/0/L/IMGP4275-L.jpg)
Looking back towards Parker Pass. Clouds provided some shade without being threatening.
![](http://vitaminc.smugmug.com/Backpacking/YNP201307/i-xJLRzv7/0/L/IMGP4276-L.jpg)
Mono Lake shows through the haze.
![](http://vitaminc.smugmug.com/Backpacking/YNP201307/i-X3gTkDs/0/L/IMGP4281-L.jpg)
Heading down from Koip Pass. More flowers and the moon rising. I would camp on the elevated section in the middle of the lake.
The tail end of day 1 was not pretty, as I was definitely feeling the effects of AMS. This was compounded when I ran out of water part way up to Koip Pass. Fortunately I came across a little trickle on the way down, which helped me keep going. Basically just fell into a camp site, had a little to eat and went to sleep.