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Sometimes the mountain gods provide an opportunity to get away for a long weekend in the High Sierra. This was a last minute trip to sleep under the stars and enjoy a mix of trail and cross country hiking and scrambling before the October storms arrived. Four passes and a few nights trying to sleep on a torso size foam pad. . . 
Photos, route details, map, video and gear list here: Horsehoe Meadows Loop
Loved the report. My favorite photo was "A perfect dinner spot on the sandy shore of Crabtree Lake #2." Would have been better if you had packed in a Corona and a lime wedge.
Wow – beautiful trip! I've been up into Miter Basin but not as far in as you came down from (in other words, from the lower end up). I'm keeping this on file. I'm also impressed that you used only a mini compass and no GPS.
Nicely chosen route, Andy, as usual. That area around Crabtree Lakes and Miter Basin is really special. It looks like you caught it in perfect shape. I wish I had figured out that workaround going up Crabtree Pass. That scree chute is a real PITA.
Thanks for your feedback, very much appreciated. Crabtree Lakes would be a great spot for a beach style BBQ sometime, just as long as there aren't too many people. Possibly a BPL meetup? BTW, after doing most of the SHR just a mini compass and a few topo maps and I'm usual fine, except in the snow:)
Andy, I always enjoy your trip reports. We did this loop in reverse in late August and we were smoked out halfway through the trip. We were heading over to Wallace lakes and took a side trip through Miter Basin up over McAdie saddle like you coming up the other way. These photos were taken above Lake number two near our campsite. I worried most of the night about permanent damage to my lungs and in a quandry about what to do the next day in that hiking out would be labor intensive risking damage to our Lungs. But we couldn't stay there either. 
The worry was wasted, as usual, as appears the next morning at lake 2 with crystal clear skies. 
The smoke returned the following evening for the third night in the row. We packed up and hike our way back going over New Army Pass. As always, nice report Andy.
Thanks John, I appreciate your feedback. It looks like you got some of the worst of the smoke in August. I have been caught in thick smoke like that (in Miter Basin a few years ago) and hiked out the first day. It really fills those basins by the late afternoon, but then can be totally clear the next day like your photo of lake #2. That sandy beach was beautiful!
And it is no exaggeration in describing the lake, "as smooth as glass."
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