Closer view of the firn line on the Palisade Glacier, separating snow that fell last winter from the older ice underneath. Last winter's snow looks smoother and whiter, in contrast to the grey, rock-strewn ice below. Since this photograph was taken near the end of the summer, the snow above the firn line gives an indication of the extent of the accumulation zone. Ice is melting at lower, warmer elevations in the ablation zone. Near the lower left corner of the photo are some nice examples of glacier tables, where rocks have sheltered the ice from the sun's heat, leaving the rocks sitting on top of ice pedestals.

Close-up of glacially polished granite a short distance down-valley from the glacier. The outcrop is about 2 meters high. Note the parallel scratches (striations) left by rocks that were embedded in the base of the glacier, showing that the glacier either flowed from lower left to upper right, or vice versa (which seems more likely? and could the ice locally flow uphill?). Also note that the outer, polished surface forms a thin layer that has chipped off in several places.

A small meltwater pond (a tarn) at the toe of the Palisade Glacier. The piled-up rocks around the lake and glacier are part of the moraine, which was deposited by the ice, probably during the 'Little Ice Age' a few hundred years ago. Another glacier and moraine can be seen in the background, below Mt. Agassiz (I think). Louis Agassiz, a European geologist, originated the idea of the "Ice Age" in the mid-19th century.

Temple Crag (12,999'), above Third Lake and the north fork of Big Pine Creek.