One of the many green plants growing along the streams

One of the many green plants growing along the streams

We continued climbing. We had 2 more miles to go to reach the summit now. Soon we had our first view of the east summit and the saddle between the east and west summits. The forest now opened up as we walked along mostly level ground. We walked past streams fed from the melting snow on the north face of the west summit. There were patches of bright green plants, close to the water. The plants were about a foot in height and simply consisted of large leaves wrapped around themselves. Quite pretty. It added color to the landscape, which was becoming more barren as we climbed toward the summits. The east summit, in particular, looked almost completely devoid of life. -- just asmooth sandy summit reminiscent of parts of the climb up Lassen Peak.