1 The start of our field work on Day 2 found us exploring the Blue Canyon area of Sonora Pass on HWY 108. The cliffs here are marvelously jointed Topaz Lake Granodiorite with megacrysts of feldspar.
2 We were at this spot to reveal what story the darker volcanic rocks on the left and lighter granitic rocks on the right told.
3 Blue Canyon Creek. It was still blasting.
4 In order to investigate the rocks we first had to climb the hill to do so... no small feat at 8800'.
5 The next chore was to safely cross Deadman Creek.
6 Shin-deep water can still be treacherous, but we managed to get across.
7 A look at our fording spot, as well as the contact between the Topaz Lake Granodiorite on the left and the Relief Peak volcanics (Mehrten Fmt) on the right.
8 Deadman Creek.
9 After crossing Deadman Creek, I had to scramble up a small water seepage and found these lovely lupine and paintbrush.
10 Not a bad place to study geology and get one unit of college credit, is it?
11 Laura didn't want to get her feet wet so she stayed behind to help Shannon & Christie oggle the granite.
12 As I climbed up the hill I first had to climb over this autobrecciated lava flow. Note the large chunks of broken rocks incorporated into the andesite.
13
14 A pile of Relief Peak andesitic rocks.
15 What's that? Petrified wood... just a little out of focus, but oh well.
16 Looking up into Blue Canyon. Looks like it'll be August until we can get back here without the snow.
17 This shot shows how thick the lava flows are here. We must be getting close to the volcanic source!
18 When I climbed further up the hill I started noticing chunks of porphyritic andesite that were incorporated into the breccias.
19 A cool andesitic inclusion
20 I can't emphasize enough what a perfect day it was to be in the High Sierra.
Day 2 - Blue Canyon and Little Walker Caldera