About 2.5 miles and at about 12,500 ft, just past the lake, leaving the trees behind and entering the rather stark and forbidding world of foot-bruising, ankle twisting and leg-straining rock. Sneaker wearers may go a little further, but then it becomes way to painful to proceed. Hiking boots are required foot gear from here on. I was wearing Reebok Telos II which have a steel shank built into the sole to prevent foot injury from pointy rocks.