Trip Reports

Conquering Mt. Whitney

Between semesters, I secured a permit that let me start at Cottonwood Pass/Horseshoe Meadows and exit via Whitney Portal. As the start date began to draw near, I turned my attention to the forecast. Unfortunately, the forecast for the first couple of days didn’t look good and was trending in the wrong direction. My plan was to leave San Diego early in the morning, drive to Lone Pine, park at the long-term parking lot that is run by the Chamber of Commerce, grab a sandwich, then take a shuttle up to Horseshoe Meadows. However, that would have meant starting my hike just as the predicted weather began to unfold. Hiking up and over a mountain pass is the last thing I wanted to do. I kept checking the forecast and talking with friends who have more backpacking experience. I know afternoon showers/thunderstorms are common in the Sierra in the summer, but this was more than I wanted to deal with. So I canceled the permit. However, another permit became available for Friday! I hopped on it as fast as I could. I made one small change: I added an overnight at Outpost Camp, just in case I needed to stop before I reached Whitney Portal. The rest of the trip remained the same.

Day 1: Horseshoe Meadows to Chickenspring Lake

I tossed my backpack and a change of fresh clothes for after into the car and set off in the pre-dawn toward Lone Pine. After a gas stop at Costco and breakfast from McDonald’s, I had little traffic as I drove northward. After picking up a sandwich from Jersey Mike’s, I then stopped at the Chamber of Commerce to pay my parking fee ($5/day). I met my shuttle driver next door at Elevation. If you’re looking to hire, text Daniel at 970-291-3980. We made the 40-minute drive up to Horseshoe Meadows. His partner, Daphne, is a photographer in Lone Pine with an amazing eye. We could see the effects of the rainstorm by the streaks of dirt running across the road. At the trailhead, I found a picnic bench to have my lunch. A couple from the Netherlands came over and asked if I was planning to use this site. I told them I was just borrowing the table, and they were free to start setting up their tent. We chatted a bit about our upcoming hikes. They were doing a section of the John Muir Trail (JMT). After I finished lunch, I bid them good luck and wandered over to the actual trailhead. I had backpacked up to Chickenspring Lake before, so I knew what the 4.5 miles had in store for me.

I cruised past the meadow, then over the creek before really starting to make my climb up Cottonwood Pass. I could tell the difference in my ability between my previous time and this one. Once at the pass, I took a break and soaked in the views to the east. I was now hiking northbound on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) toward Chickenspring Lake. Once there, I scouted a few campsites before finding one I liked. The forecast did have 10-15 mph winds, so I wanted something with some shelter. I even brought my REI QuarterDome tent to handle it better. As the sun began to sink, I ate my Chicken Tikka Masala from Bowl and Kettle while enjoying the view of the lake. I settled in for the evening, enjoying a chapter in my audiobook.

Day 2: Chickenspring Lake to Rock Creek

I woke around dawn and had my oatmeal and some hot coffee. Thankfully, the wind stopped at sunset and the entire night was peaceful. I broke camp and set off toward Rock Creek. The trail first climbed a bit, but it offered nice views of the lake, and I could easily see the campsites on the west side. For the next 9 or so miles, I mostly descended. One section was a bit sandy, but the recent rains made it a tad less loose.

 I took a short break for some snacks and electrolytes at about the 4-mile mark. Along the way, I could see various campsites that PCTers probably use. The challenge for me was that there was no water between Chickenspring Lake and Rock Creek, so I had almost 3 liters on me.

From time to time, I would meet some southbound PCTers (SOBOs). Some were section hiking, while others had started at the Canadian border. As the miles ticked away, I started to feel the effects of the day. I walked into Rock Creek, found a shady site, and made camp. I found a nice spot to have lunch, listening to the creek flow by. I was a bit concerned about my legs. This was also how I felt last year up here. Rock Creek was also my Go/No-Go point. If I continued, I was committed to hiking at least to Trail Junction, as I didn’t have enough food to turn back from Guitar Lake. A ranger station was here, and it was staffed. The ranger came by and checked my permit. We chatted about my situation, and he suggested that I try hiking up Guyot Pass in the morning. It is just under a mile, and I would probably know how my legs were doing. If they felt good, continue on. If not, he said to turn back and head to Soldier Lake instead of Chickenspring Lake. All the sites are on a peninsula, and it is closer as well. He also said I might be able to try for Mt. Langley instead. That gave me some solid options and lifted my spirits. I chatted with two hikers from the Czech Republic who were starting the JMT, and a gentleman from LA who was also doing the same route as me. I ate my dinner, stored some things in the bear locker, and drifted off to sleep.

Day 3: Rock Creek to Guitar Lake

I woke the next morning feeling pretty good, so I knew that I had just not drunk or eaten enough the day before. Since I was mostly descending, I incorrectly took it too lightly, forgetting the altitude and heavy pack. Another adjustment I made was to turn on announcements from my tracker to help keep me at a measured pace.

I crossed the creek without incident. Videos I watched from early-season PCTers showed them making a traditional water crossing. The trail wastes no time in beginning its climb. Thankfully, this trail is stock-graded, so it never became too bad. At the pass, I took a break and knew my journey would continue toward Mt. Whitney. However, I want to look at Soldier Lake for a future trip.

Today’s hike would have me steadily climbing first toward Crabtree Meadow, then onto Guitar Lake. More SOBOs passed me as I hiked along. I started to feel a bit off as I drew near Crabtree Meadow. I finally pulled out my phone to see how much farther I had to go, or whether I had my lunch here. I was close enough, so I pushed on and promised myself a longer break.

Before I made my lunch, I started filtering water. Unlike the day before, I had much more access to water and carried less today. But I wanted to make sure I stayed hydrated, and I was getting higher and higher, so I needed to keep drinking. I sat by a bear locker and ate my lunch under the shade of a tree. After lunch, I stashed my pack in the locker and used the “famous” Crabtree toilet.

Now my path would transition from the PCT onto the JMT. I had another 3 miles to reach Guitar Lake, my destination for the night. What’s interesting is that PCT hikers have to camp here, while JMT hikers or permit holders like me are allowed to continue. I also started to feel more of the altitude as I left the tree line behind. As I stared eastward, I began to see what tomorrow’s challenge looked like. I didn’t want to camp at Guitar Lake proper, but about 1/2 mile farther was a small tarn where I hoped to find a camp spot and water. As I reached it, I found an incredible spot and the tarn still held plenty of water. To my east stood Mt. Whitney. The reality of tomorrow’s hike was staring me in my face. A few others camped nearby, and I joined them for dinner with my Crawfish Etouffée, again from Bowl and Kettle, and chatted about our plans for the next day. I had decided I wasn’t going for a sunrise summit. Instead, I wanted to see the basin in the morning light and not worry about hiking the rocky trail under my headlamp. They said they were going to try for sunrise and would try to be quiet. I let them know I am partially hearing impaired, so no worries. Some clouds had drifted in, so I decided not to even try for any astrophotography.

Day 4: Mt. Whitney

I did hear them a bit, and the flash of headlamps passing by disturbed me, but I drifted back to sleep. I still wanted an early start, and my alarm went off at 4. I ate some oatmeal, filtered more water, and packed up. Like day 2, most of today’s hike would be dry, so I had a full water load on my back. While I was finishing filtering my last liter, I forgot to adjust the filter, and it was flowing extremely slowly. I opted to just strap the CNOC bag to the top of my pack and worry about it later. I glanced east and saw the glow of headlamps making their way toward the summit. In a few hours I hoped to be following in their footsteps.

Today’s hike could be broken into three parts: the 2.5 mile climb to Trail Junction, the 1.9 miles to the summit (and the 1.9 back to Trail Junction), and finally the long descent to Whitney Portal. Unlike my friends Rick and Andrea, who inspired this route for me, they didn’t exit via the portal; they hiked all the way back to Horseshoe Meadow. That meant they were going to leave all their backpacking items at Guitar Lake. Since I was going up and over, my pack was full. My plan was to pull out my pack liner and any gear I didn’t need for the summit push and leave it at Trail Junction. This is a very common practice. I adjusted my packing order to make this process easier.

The morning was cold, and a bit of a breeze blew as I set off under my headlamp. I wore a thermal layer under my pants, a beanie, a base layer, a fleece, and my puffy. I tucked away my regular sun gloves and wore full gloves to keep my fingers warm. The trail quickly started climbing, and I soon tucked the puffy into my pack. Water flowed on the trail in several sections, but was never deep enough to soak my shoes or socks.

Thankfully, the trail eased, and my anxiety did as well. Daylight began to spread across the basin, and I turned my headlamp off and stowed it. The clouds were a pink cotton candy, while the mountains had the alpenglow. The trail kept climbing; switchbacks carried me ever closer to my first milestone.

At Trail Junction, packs were scattered along the trail. I found a spot and pulled out my liner. I took a short break, but wanted to keep moving toward the summit. My pack felt almost weightless on my back. All I carried was my filtered water, snacks, and my safety gear.

As I made my way northward, the views to my west were stunning. I could see the tarn where I camped, as well as Guitar Lake. The trail to the summit was rocky, and I had to watch myself as I slowly pushed on. I met the folks I had dinner with on their descent. Soon I came to the windows, gaps between the needles. These sections are very exposed. Thankfully, the wind was light, and I had no issues crossing them. But I certainly could see where this could pose a problem for some. This was also the first time I could really see the eastern side. Way below me was Trail Camp, Consultation Lake, and the rest of my exit route. But no time to focus on that; I still had a summit to achieve.

Soon, I left the needles behind and headed onto the slope that would lead me to my destination. Before long, the Smithsonian Hut came into view, and I knew I had made it! I stopped in the hut for a moment, then went out onto the summit edge. I slipped off my pack and soaked in the view. I was now standing on the highest point in the lower 48! A few others were here, and I got my photo holding one of the metal signs.

I inspected the various benchmarks before settling down for a snack. It was a bit surreal to be here. The weather was almost perfect, just a light breeze, cool but not cold, and hardly a cloud in the sky. After about 45 minutes, I decided to head down, as I still had a long descent ahead of me. I signed the register and said my goodbyes. I thought of my sister and wished I could have shared this with her; her memorial patch would have to do.

Now it was my turn to step aside as hikers made their way up. Once back at Trail Junction, I repacked and had another snack. I still had enough water, and in a couple of miles access to more, so I dumped the liter of dirty water I had carried up. Unfortunately, leaving Trail Junction had a short climb to Trail Crest. Did this section hurt! After carrying a light pack for the past few hours, all that weight felt like it magically doubled. Thankfully, the Trail Crest sign came into view and marked the end of this torture. I was also entering the “Whitney Zone”. This is a section of Inyo Forest that requires a special permit. Since I had selected Whitney Exit, I could enter. 

Just past Trail Crest is when the famous 99-switchbacks begin. I opted not to count them and trusted someone else had done it for me. I passed the cables, which are about halfway down. This section of the trail has an overhang and often keeps snow and ice well into summer. That was not an issue today. I also passed the spring that was still flowing across a portion of the trail. If I was coming up from the Portal, I would have kept my water load lighter and filled here. I was in good shape water-wise, and continued on down. I had already shed all my top layers and even switched back to my lighter sun hoodie.

t the end of the switchbacks, I found some shade and took a break. I finally took off my lower layer, too. I passed through Trail Camp and a few tents were scattered about. I turned back and looked back up the switchbacks, the needles, and toward the summit. The fact I was just there had not fully registered. The trail was still pretty rocky, so I was having to watch my footing, especially with a backpack. Unfortunately, I misstepped and took a slight tumble. I scraped up my left palm and pinky (and a bit of pride). I was starting to feel a bit beat, and this didn’t help. I was also getting concerned about exactly when I might reach Whitney Portal and be able to get a hitch down to Lone Pine. My shuttle driver worked the second shift and couldn’t pick me up. So I decided to stay at Outpost Camp. I had included it in my permit, so that wasn’t an issue. While I didn’t have a proper dinner left, I had planned for plenty of snacks I could use earlier if needed. I found a spot off the trail, and quickly set up.

I quickly got the water filtering and relaxed, reflecting on the day. The high cliffs made satellite comms troublesome, but I updated Anita and confirmed the shuttle. I finished the movie I had been watching and then turned in. Soon after midnight, the first glow of headlamps bounced by. Day permit hikers were beginning their journey. Around 5, I woke up and broke camp. I still had about 3.8 miles to go and hoped to reach the Portal store for their famous pancake. My shuttle was scheduled for 9, so I should be in good shape.

Day 5: Outpost Camp to Whitney Portal

I had hiked this far before several years ago, and it was starting to come back. The trail became less rocky, and I cruised along. I passed some backpackers starting their hike up to Trail Camp and some day hikers who didn’t want to start in the dark. I crossed the logs and knew that the end was coming soon. Although I could see the road for a while, the parking lot finally peeked out from under the trees.

As I passed under the trestle, I had completed my trek. After a stop at the facilities, I walked off to the Portal Store ready to order breakfast, only to discover they open at 9! I guess I’ll try the Alabama Hills Café later. I had a little signal and called Anita while I waited for the shuttle. I had some more snacks as I sat outside. Soon Daniel pulled up, and we headed down the hill. We chatted about being a shuttle driver, among other things. He dropped me off at the parking lot, and I thanked him for his help. Not worrying about a bear getting into my car at either trailhead made the cost worth it. I tossed my pack into the car and changed into some clean clothes before heading over for breakfast. I also stopped by the Chamber of Commerce and paid for the extra day. After a delicious meal, I turned the Outback south onto the 395 and headed home. While the trip had a challenge or two, I overcame them and finally summited Mt. Whitney!

SectionMileageElevation GainElevation Loss
Horseshoe Meadow to Chickenspring Lake
4.45
1,329
11
Chickenspring Lake to Rock Creek9.533152,111
Rock Creek to Guitar Lake10.22,838823
Guitar Lake to Mt. Whitney4.062,67426
Mt. Whitney to Outpost Camp5.89954,065
Outpost Camp to Whitney Portal3.8102,027
37.947,2519,063
Buy Me a Coffee at ko-fi.com

I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. I co-authored Urban Trails: San Diego, available now!

In 2019, I became the third person to complete the San Diego 100 Peak Challenge. Not stopping with that accomplishment, I set my sights on the harder San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list, which I completed in 2021. I’ve also conquered several Six-Pack of Peaks challenges (SoCal, San Diego, Central Coast, and both the Arizona-Winter and Arizona-Summer).

I look forward to exploring new summits and adventures across the Southwest. 

A Walk ‘n Talk through Crest Canyon

I recently had the chance to assist as a hiking guide for the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy‘s monthly Walk ‘N Talk. Today, the group was going to hike through Crest Canyon, then continue on to the Old Grand Avenue Bridge to learn about the lagoon’s birds and restoration efforts. From the trailhead, the trail descends to the canyon floor via a series of wooden stairs. Once on the canyon floor, the trail forks: one path follows the west side of the canyon, and the other the east side. These two routes are only separated by about 200 feet. About half down the canyon, the trails rejoin for a short distance, then split apart again. Picture a figure-eight for the trail system. I led my group down the west side trail, as it appeared to be a bit wider. Once at the road, we walked along it westward to Old Grand Avenue Bridge. There is very little traffic on this road, but a car or two did pass us. 

Once at the bridge, Rachel Smith of UC Santa Barbara and Monica Alfaro of Harris and Associates brought rich details about wetlands restoration and wildlife activity. Beneath us, fish swam by, and even a stingray glided past. Soon it was time to hike back up the canyon. Kim from SDRC had left a car here in case anyone might need a shuttle. I led a group up the east side trail. This trail is a bit narrower than the west side one. I will also note that on another visit to this trail, I did encounter a rattlesnake making its way into the brush. Soon, we reached the stairs, and our hike was complete. My fellow guides and I had a quick debrief, and I am looking forward to next month’s Walk ‘N Talk.

Buy Me a Coffee at ko-fi.com

I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. I co-authored Urban Trails: San Diego, available now!

In 2019, I became the third person to complete the San Diego 100 Peak Challenge. Not stopping with that accomplishment, I set my sights on the harder San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list, which I completed in 2021. I’ve also conquered several Six-Pack of Peaks challenges (SoCal, San Diego, Central Coast, and both the Arizona-Winter and Arizona-Summer).

I look forward to exploring new summits and adventures across the Southwest. 

Early morning on Oakzanita

Since Dad’s Taxi Service was at the airport at 5, I decided to head out and complete one of the hikes on the Cuyamaca Trekker Challenge. I settled on Oakzanita over Cush-Pii. As I drove east, the sky slowly turned pink as the sun began to rise. I pulled into the empty trailhead, grabbed my gear, and set off along the East Mesa Fire Road. While it was a tad cool, I knew that was going to change as the sun continued to rise.

I hustled along the road for about 1/2 mile before jumping onto the trail that I would take to the summit. Before too long, I was atop the summit. I quickly snapped a few photos and retraced my route back to the car. I covered the 5.2 miles in 1:51, with an elevation gain of 966 feet. 

Buy Me a Coffee at ko-fi.com

I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. I co-authored Urban Trails: San Diego, available now!

In 2019, I became the third person to complete the San Diego 100 Peak Challenge. Not stopping with that accomplishment, I set my sights on the harder San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list, which I completed in 2021. I’ve also conquered several Six-Pack of Peaks challenges (SoCal, San Diego, Central Coast, and both the Arizona-Winter and Arizona-Summer).

I look forward to exploring new summits and adventures across the Southwest. 

Backpacking to Peak Lake – Sequoia National Park

Back in 2024, I had planned to hike the Lakes Trail to spend the night at Pear Lake. Unfortunately, the Coffee Pot Fire’s smoke blanketed the region, making the trip unhealthy. Fast-forward to 2026, and I had won the permit lottery for the Rae Lakes Loop, another backpacking trip that is high on my to-do list. But life threw another curveball. Originally, I was not planning on taking any classes this summer, so I would have had the time to travel from San Diego to Kings Canyon, and then spend the five days/four nights doing the Rae Lakes Loop. But since I did enroll in a class, I could no longer afford that much time away from my studies. So, I opted to try to do the Lakes Trail again, gambling on scoring a walk-up permit. I left Monday afternoon, drove to Bakersfield, and used some Marriott points to score a free room. The next morning I drove up to Sequoia National Park. According to the website, permits are released at 1 pm at the Wilderness Station at the Lodgepole Visitor Center, so I had a little time to explore some of the park before I headed over. I decided to rehike the Congress Trail and marvel at the giant redwoods. After enjoying the loop, I headed over to the permit station and was able to get a permit a bit early. In chatting with the ranger, I asked for his recommendation for the afternoon. He suggested that since the weather was pleasant, driving to Kings Canyon might be worth it. I needed to get my National Park Passport book stamped for Kings Canyon anyway, so that sealed the deal.

I drove up the Generals Highway, keeping an eye out for some of the possible campsites I might try to secure for the evening. At Grant’s Grove, I stamped my passport book and had lunch at the restaurant before driving down into Kings Canyon. I felt a bit sad, as this was the same route I would have driven if I had started the Rae Lakes Loop. Off to the east, I could see the clouds building over the mountains, forecasting classic afternoon thunderstorms. I had wanted to hike Zumwalt Meadow again, but as I drew near the trailhead, rain began to fall. So much for that plan. I got a second stamp from the Cedar Grove Visitor Center and made my way back toward where I would camp for the night. I considered hiking Buena Vista Peak, but decided to skip it and save my legs for the climb tomorrow. I turned on Big Meadow Road (14S11) and began looking for a possible campsite. Since this was actually Sequoia National Forest, dispersed camping is allowed. I also knew there was a campground further down the road with first-come sites. I drove past the staging area for the winter trailhead, and followed the paved road for a bit. I passed a large motorhome parked at one spot, then another camper off to the side. I came to Horse Corral Road and turned there. I found one spot that looked fine, but decided to explore some more before setting up camp. I stopped at another one which was a bit more secluded, but since I had time I opted to drive some more. Then I came to a really nice one. It appeared to be very level and had a nice eastern view. A nice rock fire-ring was there, so this became my spot. I began setting up camp, and it was then I realized I left my stove at home. Since this was just a rock fire-ring, there was no grate to set my pot on to cook my Trader Joe’s Jambalaya (recommend). Instead, I would need my fire to burn down some to allow the coals to reheat my meal. With the dinner issue solved, I enjoyed my meal as the sun sank behind me. I built the fire back up and relaxed.

I woke in the pre-dawn, partly due to the excitement and partly because I didn’t have window shades. I might invest in a full set one day. As I finished readying my pack, I saw that the ranger had accidentally issued the permit for yesterday. Crud. So, now I had to decide: ignore it and plead with a ranger if I was stopped, or try to fix it. I wasn’t sure when the permit station opened, but I was aiming for starting after 8, and the trailhead and the station were only about 2 miles away. I decided to swing by to see when they opened and try to fix it before setting off. After some coffee and breakfast, I finished packing up, double-checking my campfire was completely out, and drove back to Lodgepole. I arrived just as they were opening, and the ranger was able to adjust my permit without issue. I thanked him and set off to the trailhead at Wolverton. After storing my cooler in one of the bear lockers, I strapped on my backpack and set off. This trail is also a popular day hike, so I know I would be seeing a mix of folks along the route. My pack carried some different items than during my Yosemite trip: a bear can (my BV425), some rain gear, and my REI QuarterDome tent instead of my Gossamer Gear The One. The tent swap was for two reasons: since the REI tent uses a traditional pole system, I can set it up on rocky surfaces more easily, and being double-walled, it could handle the rain better.

The trail immediately began climbing from the parking lot. After 0.1 miles, it turns to the east and continues its climb under the shade of the forest. From time to time, the sounds of Wolverton Creek could be heard. Along the way, I met up with a group of day hikers taking a short break. I would wind up hiking with a lovely gentleman from Visalia all the way to The Watchtower. We would cross a few flowing streams, and a few wildflowers still remained in bloom along the trail. Our route turned more north-easterly as we approached The Watchtower. This trail is only open in the summer, as a portion of the trail becomes deadly from snow and ice. There is an alternate route known as The Hump, but I had no plans to take it on the way out to Pear Lake. A few backpackers passed us, returning from their stay. Soon, The Watchtower came into view. The Watchtower is a unique rock formation overlooking Tokopah Canyon. I slipped off my pack and took a break. While some do climb out onto its summit, I opted to just marvel at it from where I was. After about 20 minutes, I shouldered my pack and set off. The next section of the trail was the narrow, exposed portion. It did not bother me, but I could only imagine how my friend Ted would have disliked it. The trail joined with the bypass, and soon I reached Heather Lake. For many, this beautiful alpine lake is their destination. I was still ahead of the day hikers, so I had the lake to myself. There is no camping allowed here, but plenty of spots to enjoy a snack or even lunch. 

After a short climb, I then dropped down toward the next pair of lakes. Aster Lake came into view first. This lake sits north of the trail and a bit lower. This lake also has a no-camping policy. After passing the pit toilet, I came to Emerald Lake. This lake does allow camping, and I could see a few tents scattered about at the designated site. It turns out a bear had wandered through earlier that morning, so being bear-aware was more than an academic suggestion. This site did have a bear locker, located right at the junction with the main trail and the trail that takes you to the campsites. I poked around the sites briefly. I still had about another 500 feet of elevation left to reach Pear Lake, and the trail was becoming more rocky as it neared the tree line.

I passed the junction to the Ranger Station, wondering if it was staffed. The views were stunning as the alpine terrain became more visible. Tiny patches of snow still clung to just a few spots high upon the northern nooks of the mountains. Before too long, Pear Lake came into view. This site was absolutely stunning. A blue alpine lake tucked in this bowl, surrounded by stark rocky spires. Some folks were already there as I explored the area for a possible campsite. A map of the designated sites was posted at the toilet. Since both of these lakes get enough visitors, NPS built composting toilets to minimize the impact. I found a good spot and tossed my poles down to claim it. Nearby, a hiker was relaxing, and I started chatting with him. He had camped at Emerald Lake and hiked up here this morning. I ate my lunch and enjoyed our conversation. He packed up to head back to his campsite, and I went over to mine to set it up. Once that chore was done, I slipped off my shoes and socks and enjoyed the surprisingly warm water for a bit. Some folks had brought bathing suits, and I wished I had my sandals to make wading less painful on my feet. I spent the rest of the afternoon alternating between relaxing under the shade of a tree, soaking up the views, and wandering around the lake.

Bowl and Kettle had gifted me some meals to try, and this time I brought their Crawfish Étouffée. I accidentally forgot the couple of rolls from Pyrenees Bakery, which I had hoped to pair with it. Oh well, I guess forgetting something was going to be a theme of this trip. I cooked up my meal, and thoroughly enjoyed it as I ate along the lake shore. It is a toss-up between this meal and their Chicken Tikka Masala as to my favorite (The Mexican Street Grits is also a yummy option). My phone’s battery was getting low. I went to grab my battery to charge it, only to discover I had left my cable in the car. At this point, I was the only person at the lake. I turned my phone off to save the remaining power. I didn’t need it for navigating back to the car, but I would like to take some photos along the way. I was more bummed that I wasn’t going to do any astro-photography. 

A father and son rolled into the lake; unfortunately, they did not have a cable. They opted to set up camp on the western side of the lake, up on the hill. There, they discovered that there was indeed a bear locker at the lake even though the map did not indicate one. Right around dusk, a group of 6 came in. I chatted with them, pointing out the various options that might work for a group of their size. This was their first night on a multi-day trip into Table Meadows. As the sun set, I bid them good night and crawled into my tent. It took a bit to fall asleep, but sleep finally did come. I woke up a few times, and once the moon had set, I powered my phone back on to snap a couple of photos of the Milky Way.

I awoke again in the pre-dawn and made breakfast by the lake shore. As I sat there in just my sun hoodie and pants, I reflected on how lucky I was to be able to experience all of this. I packed up and set off down the trail. I turned my phone back on, but kept my tracking disabled to conserve power. At Emerald Lake, I chatted with a camper retrieving his stuff from the bear locker. It turns out, he was the one who saw the bear yesterday, almost right where we were standing. After a good 10 minutes of chatting, I bid him farewell, as I still had some miles to cover and a long drive home. Those miles went quickly; a slightly lighter pack and a lot of downhill helped.

I stopped briefly at The Watchtower before continuing my descent. I started to wonder when I might encounter my first day hikers, and around the junction with The Hump, I did. Then, once I passed the junction to Panther Gap, hoards of trail runners came up the trail. I lost count of how many; I would put it over 50 stretched out along the trail. It was clearly some training run for high schoolers, with a few coaches/adults from time to time. I would step aside again and again as they passed. Some were polite, others not so much. Finally, after about a mile of this, the last runner passed me. I thought it odd that there was not a coach or some adult acting as sweep, just one lone girl plodding up the trail. I passed more day hikers, and even a trio of backpackers making their way up. Soon, I reached the junction to take me back to the Wolverton Trailhead, and my trip came to an end. I recorded my time, knowing I could recreate my return track once I got home. I changed into some clean clothes, retrieved my cooler, and began the long drive home. I stopped at the Giant Forest Visitor Center for another stamp in my passport book. I mentioned to the ranger the large group of trail runners and the hikers with a dog on the trail. He rolled his eyes and sighed. Being so understaffed meant there was little they could do about either issue. I thanked him for what he could do to preserve the park and headed down the road. I stopped at the Foothill Visitor Center to get my final stamp before leaving. Unfortunately, I did not realize until I was home that I needed to swap out my Junior Ranger badge for the new wooden one. After refueling both the car and my stomach in Bakersfield, I stopped at Benji’s to bring some Basque food home for myself. The rest of the long drive was uneventful, just a lot of podcasts to pass the time. The final stats were 12.8 miles in 6:55 and 2,749 feet of gain.

Buy Me a Coffee at ko-fi.com

I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. I co-authored Urban Trails: San Diego, available now!

In 2019, I became the third person to complete the San Diego 100 Peak Challenge. Not stopping with that accomplishment, I set my sights on the harder San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list, which I completed in 2021. I’ve also conquered several Six-Pack of Peaks challenges (SoCal, San Diego, Central Coast, and both the Arizona-Winter and Arizona-Summer).

I look forward to exploring new summits and adventures across the Southwest. 

Exploring the Congress Trail – Sequoia National Park

Years ago, when the twins were little, our family had a vacation at the Wuksachi Lodge in Sequoia National Park. During our stay, my son and I hiked the Congress Trail.

The past few visits to the park haven’t allowed me a chance to hike this trail again. Since I had time before I attempted to get a walk-up permit to backpack to Pear Lake via the Lakes Trail, I decided that revisiting this trail would be perfect. I drove up from Bakersfield, where I had spent the night, and pulled into the parking lot for the General Sherman Tree. I grabbed my waist pack and set off down the trail.

The trail was busy, as the General Sherman Tree is one of the marquee attractions in the park. Once I reached the first junction with the Congress Trail, I discovered that this initial section was closed due to some trail maintenance. Instead, I continued just a short way further down to the next junction.

The Chief Sequoyah Tree is the 29th largest giant redwood, the 14th largest tree in Sequoia National Park, and the 10th largest tree in Giant Forest. Very close to this tree is The President, also known as the Warren Harding Tree. It is the world’s 5th largest tree, the 4th largest giant redwood, the 3rd largest tree in Sequoia National Park, the 3rd largest tree in Giant Forest, and the oldest living redwood.

A short distance past it was The Senate group and just a short walk further The House group. Together, these form The Congress Group and thus the trail’s name. As the trail turned northward back to the trailhead, I passed the McKinley Tree, named in honor of the 25th President of the United States.

The trail passed through a fallen redwood, and I vividly remembered stopping here with my son, 15 years ago. I swung by the General Sherman Tree briefly. I had no need to stand in the long line to have my photo taken in front of the “photo spot”, as I admired it from off to the side. I then made the climb back to the car. My loop was 3.05 miles long, and took me 1:12 to do. It was time to head over to the permit office and see about obtaining that permit.

Buy Me a Coffee at ko-fi.com

I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. I co-authored Urban Trails: San Diego, available now!

In 2019, I became the third person to complete the San Diego 100 Peak Challenge. Not stopping with that accomplishment, I set my sights on the harder San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list, which I completed in 2021. I’ve also conquered several Six-Pack of Peaks challenges (SoCal, San Diego, Central Coast, and both the Arizona-Winter and Arizona-Summer).

I look forward to exploring new summits and adventures across the Southwest. 

Buy Me a Coffee at ko-fi.com

I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. I co-authored Urban Trails: San Diego, available now!

In 2019, I became the third person to complete the San Diego 100 Peak Challenge. Not stopping with that accomplishment, I set my sights on the harder San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list, which I completed in 2021. I’ve also conquered several Six-Pack of Peaks challenges (SoCal, San Diego, Central Coast, and both the Arizona-Winter and Arizona-Summer).

I look forward to exploring new summits and adventures across the Southwest. 

Visiting Airplane Monument

With another big adventure coming up soon, I did not want to tackle anything significant but still wanted to hit the trail. With the recently launched Cuyamaca Trail Trekker Challenge, hiking up to Airplane Monument seemed like a perfect option. I drove up to Green Valley Falls and paid my $10 day use fee. A sign on the kiosk informed visitors that the falls were bone dry. I then drove down to the trailhead and gathered my gear. The trail passed the small amphitheater as it began its climb. It had been warm the past few days, so I was actually hiking in shorts to keep a touch cooler, even in this early morning.

This trail linked up with the West Mesa Trail and continued to climb. From time to time, I could peer past the vegetation and gaze at the East Mesa and even the highway.

As I drew near the monument, trail signs guided me first to the right, then a short distance later to the left. Down a small connector trail sits the mounted V-12 engine from a twin-seat Army DeHaviland DH4B model biplane that crashed back in 1921. Both U.S. Army pilot First Lieutenant Charles F. Webber and U.S. Cavalry Colonel Francis C. Marshall lost their lives when, in the fog, coupled with a failing engine, they were unable to clear the mountain. This memorial was erected in their memory.

I moved the wooden Airplane Ridge High Point sign off to the side to take my photos. I considered relocating it to the actual high point, which is actually about ½ mile up Airplane Ridge. But since I was wearing shorts and I didn’t want to venture off trail to reach the proper spot, I left it behind. After a few photos and a moment of reflection, I headed back down the trail. I briefly entertained the idea of also doing Oakzanita Peak, which is on the challenge, but the day was heating up. Soon I was back at the car and heading to REI to get some fuel for my upcoming backpacking trip. The final stats for this jaunt were 3.6 miles in 1:20, with 802 feet of gain.

Buy Me a Coffee at ko-fi.com

I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. I co-authored Urban Trails: San Diego, available now!

In 2019, I became the third person to complete the San Diego 100 Peak Challenge. Not stopping with that accomplishment, I set my sights on the harder San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list, which I completed in 2021. I’ve also conquered several Six-Pack of Peaks challenges (SoCal, San Diego, Central Coast, and both the Arizona-Winter and Arizona-Summer).

I look forward to exploring new summits and adventures across the Southwest. 

Conquering White Mountain

The goal for this weekend’s adventure was to summit White Mountain Peak, California’s third-highest peak at 14,252 feet. The day began early, with a drive from San Diego to Big Pine, where Ted Markus and I stopped for lunch and to top off the gas tank. We took CA-168 up until the junction with White Mountain Road. The twisting road climbed ever higher. We passed Grandview Campground, where I had stayed before backpacking Little Lake Valley several years ago. At Sierra View Overlook, we pulled off and took a short stroll to take in the vista. 

From there, we drove on to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest Visitor Center. We gathered our gear and set off to hike the Methuselah Trail to start getting used to the altitude. Once done with that spectacular loop, we began the 16-mile drive to the White Mountain Peak trailhead, where we would camp for the night. As you leave the pavement behind, a sign warns drivers of sharp rocks, to check your spare tire, and there is also no cell service, no AAA service, and a minimum tow cost of $1,000. In front of the visitor center, they keep a tally of flat tires, so this warning should be taken seriously. Since I have upgraded the tires on the Outback and have a can of Fix-a-Flat, we set off. The road wasn’t too bad-almost no ruts; you just had to be mindful of the rocks. After about an hour, we reached the trailhead. It was then that I realized I had forgotten my leveling blocks, so I looked for the flattest spot I could find and hoped for the best. Ted set up his tent, and I unloaded the rest of the car. We relaxed a bit and discussed the plan for tomorrow’s hike. The parking lot had a few other cars, including a MiniCooper Countryman! Proving the road isn’t difficult; one just needs to be careful. I chatted with some of the other campers; one was from New York, out peakbagging, and four researchers who were tracking sheep. We enjoyed a nice dinner and a beverage. A few more cars arrived throughout the evening. The winds stayed calm, and we drifted off to sleep.

Around 3 am, I heard some hikers getting ready to head off, but I rolled back over and dozed until 4, our planned wake-up time. We partially broke camp and passed the locked gate a bit after 5 am. The eastern sky was slowly changing color in the predawn as we followed the road up to the Bancroft Research Station. We got the first glimpse of the sun rising just before we reached the station. This station, run by the University of California, was built for high-altitude research but appeared to be unstaffed at this time. While I had shed my wind shell earlier, Ted stopped here to peel off his. We climbed past the small observatory and got our first real sighting of White Mountain in the distance. Our route descended into a small valley before continuing upward toward the summit. 

The road continued northward across the treeless terrain. Marmots would appear from time to time as we pushed on. Ted would call out our elevation from time to time, but beyond that, not much conversation was had between us. My previous elevation record was 12,637 feet atop Humphreys Peak in Arizona, while Ted had reached the summit of Pikes Peak (14,115 feet). We cruised along the trail, steadily climbing. Around the four-mile mark, we took a short break. We were still feeling good, but we could see the switchbacks ahead and knew the effort would increase.

The trail lost about 300 feet of elevation, dropping just below 13,000 feet. As we descended toward this small saddle, we knew we would feel this climb upon our return. Once we reached the switchbacks, I stayed focused on the trail and tried not to stare at the research hut atop the summit. Off in the distance, I spotted a few sheep, almost invisible against the rocky terrain. I took a breather partway for a few minutes before pushing on. With the main switchbacks behind us, the trail continued north before making one last major turn back toward the summit. 

While we had seen a few snow patches off-trail from time to time, the main trail crossed a small snowfield here. The snow was still firm, and crossing it was fairly straightforward. From there, we pushed on the last 3/10th of a mile to the summit. We had made it! I slipped off my pack and relaxed in front of the research hut, while Ted photographed the views. A short time later, two more hikers joined us (one had hiked up with her dog!) The views were outstanding as we had a very clear day. We could gaze deep into Nevada to the east, and the Sierra filled our view to the west. White Mountain is the 3rd-highest peak in California and the 20th 14’er in the lower 48, at 14,252 feet. 

Once recharged after some snacks, electrolytes, and some conversation with the other hikers who had made the summit, we set off back down the mountain. We opted to skip crossing the snowfield again and took a use trail that was just before it. Apart from being mindful of our footing on the rockier parts of the road, the descent went fairly well until we hit that first steep climb after the switchbacks. Thankfully, it wasn’t too long. From time to time, we would pass other hikers making their ascents. We told them about the snowfield and the option to bypass it if they wanted to. Around the White Mountain Wilderness sign, we met a gentleman who was trying to ride his mountain bike. He was just about to turn around when the altitude and the rocky terrain proved too much. We told him to push on a bit more to the point just before the road dips down to enjoy that view, then turn back. We also passed the hikers who had left at 3 am, still working their way up.

After the climb back up to the observatory, I needed a break. So, I wandered over to the dome and slipped off my pack. I mixed up some more electrolytes and drank them down. That seemed to do the trick, and we set off back down the mountain again. While it had warmed up slightly, the breeze kept it fairly pleasant overall. Soon, the trailhead came back into view, and our epic adventure was complete. We changed into some clean clothes, enjoyed a cold Coca-Cola, and then repacked the Outback for the long drive home. Once we reached Lone Pine, we stopped at The Pizza Factory for a late lunch. I logged the hike at 15.25 miles in 8:16, with a total elevation gain of 3,178 feet. 

Buy Me a Coffee at ko-fi.com

I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. I co-authored Urban Trails: San Diego, available now!

In 2019, I became the third person to complete the San Diego 100 Peak Challenge. Not stopping with that accomplishment, I set my sights on the harder San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list, which I completed in 2021. I’ve also conquered several Six-Pack of Peaks challenges (SoCal, San Diego, Central Coast, and both the Arizona-Winter and Arizona-Summer).

I look forward to exploring new summits and adventures across the Southwest. 

Hiking the Methuselah Trail

High up in the mountains above Owens Valley, a 45-minute drive from Big Pine, California, sits the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest. Ted and I drove up the winding White Mountain Road, about 10 miles from CA 168. Our plan was to stop at Schulman Grove and hike the Methuselah Trail in order to acclimatize a bit before attempting to hike up White Mountain the next day. Along the way, we made a brief stop at Sierra View Vista and walked the short trail to take in the expansive views of the Sierra. I continued driving up the paved road, climbing just over 10,000 feet in elevation. We stopped at the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest Visitor Center and showed our pass to the staff before hitting the trail. I had been here before and hiked the Cabin Loop Trail, but did not do the Methuselah Trail.

We left the beautiful visitor center and headed down the trail. After about 300 yards, we came to a junction. From time to time, a bench would be set beside the trail to give out-of-breath hikers a place to rest and soak up the views. Off to the east, we could see down into Deep Springs Valley, then onto the Last Chance Range, and beyond that, Nevada.

On the north-facing slopes, we would find the bristlecone pines. Since the north slopes retain snow longer, they can absorb additional moisture. In addition, there is no underbrush to compete with for the limited resources for their growth. These factors are key components to their longevity.

After descending for about 1.7 miles, we came to the Methuselah Grove. Here, the bristlecone pines cluster in large numbers, growing seemingly right out of the chalky sandstone. Somewhere in this grove is the oldest living tree, at over 5,000 years old. Some of the dead trees have been dated to over 10,000 years old. Once we left the grove, we began the climb back toward the visitor center. Neither of us wanted to take the longer route, which would have taken us along the Cabin Loop Trail, as we still had another hour of driving to our intended campsite. The entire loop was 4.1 miles in 1:58, with 643 feet of elevation gain.

Buy Me a Coffee at ko-fi.com

I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. I co-authored Urban Trails: San Diego, available now!

In 2019, I became the third person to complete the San Diego 100 Peak Challenge. Not stopping with that accomplishment, I set my sights on the harder San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list, which I completed in 2021. I’ve also conquered several Six-Pack of Peaks challenges (SoCal, San Diego, Central Coast, and both the Arizona-Winter and Arizona-Summer).

I look forward to exploring new summits and adventures across the Southwest. 

Exploring the Picture Canyon Trail

I realized when I was hiking in Yosemite that my trail runners had hiked on portions of the Appalachian Trail while I was visiting Shenandoah National Park and the Pacific Crest Trail. I mused, could I have them hike the “Triple Crown” by hiking a portion of the Continental Divide Trail? I doubted I could make that happen, but maybe another scenic trail? They also hiked some of the John Muir Trail… Well, over the Fourth of July weekend, my wife and I spent it in Flagstaff with a friend from college and her husband. We hiked the Picture Canyon Trail, which also included a portion of the Arizona Scenic Trail.

We decided to hike the nearby Picture Canyon Trail to kick off our time in Flagstaff. This trail is relatively flat and has several points of interest along it. From the trailhead, we opted to follow the loop counterclockwise. Down in a small, narrow canyon, water flowed over the volcanic rocks. After about 0.6 miles, we connected with the Arizona Scenic Trail. Achievement unlocked for my shoes! 🙂 We crossed over the Rio De Flag Bridge, then left the AZT to view the Waterbird Petroglyph site.

After viewing them, we began to loop back around. Unfortunately, the air was also starting to turn, as the winds had shifted and the smoke from the Pocket Fire was now starting to arrive. When the trail we were on crossed the AZT again, the ladies stayed on the Tom Moody Trail for a shorter route back to the trailhead, while the guys hopped back on the AZT. After about 0.6 miles, we came to the junction with the Don Weaver Trail. This trail took us past the remains of an indigenous dwelling known as the Pithouse and an overlook. We soon found ourselves back at the car. This easy loop was 4.3 miles long and took us 1:49.

After lunch, we headed into downtown Flagstaff, where I stopped into Evolved Supply Co. While Darwin was not in, I enjoyed chatting with some of the staff. Unfortunately, the pot I wanted to buy was sold out (I placed an order online).

Buy Me a Coffee at ko-fi.com

I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. I co-authored Urban Trails: San Diego, available now!

In 2019, I became the third person to complete the San Diego 100 Peak Challenge. Not stopping with that accomplishment, I set my sights on the harder San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list, which I completed in 2021. I’ve also conquered several Six-Pack of Peaks challenges (SoCal, San Diego, Central Coast, and both the Arizona-Winter and Arizona-Summer).

I look forward to exploring new summits and adventures across the Southwest. 

Backpacking Yosemite High Sierra Camps

Originally, I had a permit to hike the Yosemite High Sierra Camp loop in July, but my summer plans changed, and I could no longer go due to classes. Thankfully, I was able to score one during my break between them. I drove up to Lee Vining, checked into my room, then made my way to the Whoa Nellie Deli for some fish tacos. Afterward, I watched the sun fade over Mono Lake. The next morning, I grabbed breakfast at Nicely’s, then checked out and grabbed a turkey sandwich for later. The drive up over Tioga Pass is always stunning. Bits of snow clung to the tops of some of the peaks. I pulled into the parking lot at the Wilderness permit station and quickly got my permit. The plan was to camp at each of the five High Sierra Camps; the ranger did caution me that the mosquitoes were bad at Sunrise and Vogelsang. I shouldered my pack and set off. Since I had hiked this section last year, I had less anxiety about what lay ahead.

As I reached the parking lot for Lambert Dome, some PCT hikers were looking for a hitch down the road. I inquired about how Glen Pass was, and they confirmed that it was not too bad, but you needed to tackle it early before it became slushy. I wished them well on their journey and continued on.

The hike down to Glen Aulin is pretty mellow, as it mostly follows the Tuolumne River. I stopped at Soda Springs, then at Parsons Lodge. Crews were doing some trail work nearby, and I thanked them for their efforts. From time to time, hikers passed me as they headed back to the meadow. After crossing the first bridge, I took a short snack break, watching the water flow by.

The trail worked its way past a few small waterfalls before finally reaching the bridge that would cross back across the Tuolumne and into Glen Aulin. I decided to see if the site I used last time was open, and it was. A couple from Florida was nearby, but I was respectfully far enough away. After setting up my tent, I ate that sandwich, then stored my pack in one of the lockers. For the afternoon, I relaxed and, after a short nap, wandered down to enjoy the views. A PCT thru-hiker joined me and a couple from Florida on the ledge and set up camp. He went by Casper and finally realized his dream of hiking the whole trail. Dinner was a Chili Mac meal, but I brought some homemade cornbread to have with it. With a full stomach, I turned in, knowing I had a modest climb tomorrow to the next camp.

I awoke around dawn and enjoyed breakfast before packing up. Crossing back over the Tuolumne, almost all of today’s hike would be a steady climb up to May Lake. Again, with less anxiety about the trail, I kept it at a more mellow pace. Some of the smaller streams were almost dry, but I still had a few stream crossings to make. I met another hiker making their way from May Lake. We chatted for a bit, and she confirmed that the bugs at Sunrise were awful, and some hikers actually left due to the mosquitoes. Great, not the news I wanted to hear. We wished each other well on our respective hikes.

I took a snack break at the same spot as last time, just being mindful not to lose my tripod this time. The trail becomes a bit more exposed, so that early start helped. I focused on my pace as the climb also became steeper. Before too long, I spied May Lake peeking through the trees. To my amazement, there were workers reassembling the actual camp! I wondered if they were going to reopen just this one or more? There were several large groups set up, so I scouted around for a spot that would give me a little space. Once set up, I enjoyed the area again. The bugs were minimal, so I could really just relax. The deeper question in my mind was the bugs at Sunrise (and the climb up to it). There actually is cell service here, so I let Anita know I might change plans and would keep her posted.

For dinner, I had Chicken Tikka Masala from Bowl and Kettle. They had sent me some of their meals to enjoy on this trek. I had this one before and could not wait to dive in. I also packed in some naan from Trader Joe’s to have with it. As I ate my meal, the sun slowly retreated behind Mt. Hoffman. After a hard day, I turned in and began debating my options for tomorrow.

I awoke again before dawn and quickly packed up. I decided to skip breakfast and just have a bar and some electrolytes before heading down to Tenya Lake. The early morning sun shone on Half Dome to the west. Once I reached the May Lake Trailhead, I dumped some trash before continuing on.

Once at Tenya Lake and the Sunrise Trailhead, I took a break and made breakfast. The parking lot was pretty full, as this trailhead is the one to Clouds Rest, a hike I have on my list. The trail stayed mellow for a while. Fresh bear scat was on the trail. I took a photo to denote the location for the rangers. Soon, the trail would begin its climb to Sunrise Lake. Even being very mindful of my pace, I actually caught some day hikers. At the trail junction for Clouds Rest, I took a snack break. Those day hikers caught back up, and some continued on to what I have heard is one of the most epic views in the park, while one pair headed on to the lake for some fishing.

I reached the first lake, and it was another stunning sight. After carefully crossing the outflow, I continued past the other two lakes before the last small climb. One tiny patch of snow remained on the trail just before I began my descent toward Sunrise HSC. I had chatted with some of the hikers passing in the other direction, and they validated the intensity of the bugs.

I crossed over a small stream to be rewarded with an incredible vista of the meadow and snow-capped mountains beyond. At a minimum, I knew this would be an outstanding lunch spot. As I ate, I debated whether to continue down to Merced HSC or hop on the John Muir Trail past Cathedral Lakes back to Tuolumne. Since the mosquitoes weren’t too bad at the moment, I found a nice site and made camp. It was just too beautiful not to try to stay. Plus, the lockers and pit toilet weren’t too far away. I slipped into my tent for a nap. When I awoke, there were certainly more mosquitoes buzzing around my tent. I ventured out to see the actual HSC and refill my water bottles.

I dove back into my tent, killing a few that snuck in. I slipped on my headphones and began catching up on some podcasts. Maybe I should have pushed on to Merced HSC? But it was a bit too late in the day to hike the 10 miles, plus I also heard it wasn’t exactly bug-free either. If I had had some company, it might have been easier to pass the time. For dinner, I had another meal from Bowl and Kettle, this time their Sweet Corn Grits. More mosquitoes were now buzzing about, so I ate in the tent. While I might have southern roots, grits were never my thing, but this dinner rocked!

I was glad I had downloaded some Netflix to watch as the sun slowly set. After another quick run to refresh my water and store my gear in the locker, I waited for the sun to dip behind the trees before turning in. A quarter moon was up and shining bright. I had to slip my beanie down to block the light. I still wasn’t sure about tomorrow’s adventure, so for now I just enjoyed the moment.

I awoke before dawn, in part to pack up before the mosquitoes came out. I took a moment to make breakfast and relish in the view. I finished packing, topped off my water, and set off. I had decided to exit. Spending the afternoon trapped in my tent was not my idea of fun at the next two sites.

Frost covered the meadow as I headed northward. While I had about 10 miles to get back to the car, it was mostly going to be downhill, except for a small climb over Cathedral Pass. The imposing Columbia Finger stood towering before me. Once over the pass, I soon passed Cathedral Lakes. The mosquitoes were back out, and other backpackers passed, some with bug nets on. I had mine ready just in case. Since the trail was mellow, I enjoyed my snack on the go to avoid being swarmed.

Once past the lake, I started passing more day hikers coming to enjoy it. As the miles slipped past, I reflected on the past four days and was pleased with the adventure.  Once back at the meadow, I headed to the store and grabbed a soda. I sat on the bench out front, watching the various PCT hikers milling about. Some repacked their resupply boxes, while others were enjoying a breakfast burrito. I still had a long drive home, so I did not linger any longer.

Back at the car, I tossed my pack in the back and changed into some fresh clothes before setting off. I hit Copper Top BBQ in Big Pine for lunch and Erick Schat’s Bakkerÿ for some bread. All told, even with the mosquitoes, this was still a fantastic four days exploring Yosemite. Maybe I can grab another permit once the bugs are less of a problem and do a point-to-point hike from Tuolumne to Vogelsang, then to Merced, and finally to the Valley. Just need a shuttle bus running or another way to get back.

Buy Me a Coffee at ko-fi.com

I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. I co-authored Urban Trails: San Diego, available now!

In 2019, I became the third person to complete the San Diego 100 Peak Challenge. Not stopping with that accomplishment, I set my sights on the harder San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list, which I completed in 2021. I’ve also conquered several Six-Pack of Peaks challenges (SoCal, San Diego, Central Coast, and both the Arizona-Winter and Arizona-Summer).

I look forward to exploring new summits and adventures across the Southwest.