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Jewel Lake (larger) and Campfire Lake (smaller) lie nearly 400 feet below Kaiser Ridge.

Continuing, the trail traverses west through moonscape terrain devoid of obvious plant life except the occasional gnarled whitebark pine. Diminutive and barren Line Creek Lake is nestled along the exposed southern slopes. The trail descends slowly along Kaiser Ridge, offering expansive views north that include Balloon Dome—a prominent, granite knob jutting nearly 3000 feet above the banks of the San Joaquin River, which carves its way through Ansel Adams Wilderness.

Initially heading west, the trail gently leads downslope along the exposed, sun-drenched ridge and bends south-southeast to meet a junction 3 miles from the summit (8780´). Curve west across the headwaters of Line Creek, and, in 0.9 mile, reach a junction with the Nellie Lake Trail (8430´).

Turn right (west) onto the Nellie Lake Trail; Nellie Lake is the only site for established camps along the entire 21-mile loop. The path initially climbs 500 feet, crossing upper Home Camp Creek in 0.4 mile. It then skirts the northern flanks of Peak 9198 and drops the remaining half mile into the Nellie Lake basin. To find the best campsites, from Nellie Lake’s east shore (8900´; 11S 300888 4128413), follow a use trail right 200 feet across the inlet, through a shoreline forest of mature lodgepole, red fir, and the occasional western white pine and droopy-topped mountain hemlock.