The Granite Lakes Cirque
I just need to get lost more often. While attempting to ski False White's east face a few days earlier, Dave Braun and I veered off course but got a surprise look at False White's southeast cirque as a reward.
The Granite Lakes Cirque is one of those classic hidden-in-plain-sight Eastern Sierra features. I'd never heard of it until I saw it from False White's false (eastern) summit.
What an amazing collection of stellar steep shots. It's astonishing to me that a mountain as seemingly-innocuous as False White could be hiding a stash like this. But here you go: it's real, and it's just over a mile from Highway 120.
As steep skiing goes, these lines are short but very spirited. You can easily climb and ski them repeatedly, as we did—just bring your axe & crampons and be prepared for a lot of tingling!
Unfortunately Dave and I had a number of camera snafus (as well as a bit of a miscommunication about where to meet), including Dave filming himself instead of my descent of the dreaded middle couloir... but perhaps that just adds to the ambiance?
And yes, if you are wondering, that entry turn Dave did on "Last Wishes" was absolutely insane. As the man says, you only live once! But probably best not to try to copy Dave too closely. I myself side-stepped that section. :)
— June 24, 2025
My family and I are deeply grateful to all of you for your kind words, encouragement, and offers of support. Every message and every gesture—big or small—has meant a lot to us. We're doing the best we can ❤️
