Sierra National Forest

This was an overnight, solo trip to 8000 feet deep into the heart of the Sierra Nevadas. I tried to invite people, but nobody wanted to come! I knew it was going to be a long weekend with lots of driving and hiking. But I also knew I would get to spend a day and night in the wilderness enjoying the biggest meteor shower of the year. I brought food I didn't have to cook. I brought only a sleeping bag and mat. I only said a few words in 24 hours to the 3 passing hikers I saw on trail. Backpacking solo is relaxing and centering, it gives you the peace of mind to notice every little thing around you. Its silent and serene!

The Perseids Meteor Shower was incredible, I saw over 60 in the 2 hours before moonrise. I camped on a rocky hill with grass and strange alpine plants on the rim of the deep, glaciated gorge of the upper San Joaquin River. The dramatic elevation difference between Mt. Ritter(13,000 feet) and the bottom of the canyon(6000 feet) was spectacular. The sapphire river roared far away, silence ruled and the birds were scarce. The south facing hill held sunshine in the rocks, keeping me warm all night long in nothing but a sleeping bag and pad. The wildflowers in the frequent meadows were in full bloom, I saw over 20 different kinds of flowers and have no idea what all their names are.

The forest was spectacular, alternating between Ponderosa Pine, White Pine, Red Fir and Juniper. The "Niche", a cleft in granite cliffs several hundred feet high, was an unexpected highlight of the trip. I thought it would just be cliffs, turns out a large river actually cut the gorge and it had hundreds of pools deep enough for swimming- a perfect cold water dip was the perfect way to clean up and cool off after the trip on the way back to the car. Hemlock Crossing is a must visit destination someday. Hemlock sits in the patch of forest at the bottom center of the first picture- truly a valley as majestic and beautiful as Yosemite or Kings Canyon complete with a sapphire river, ancient forest, untouched wilderness and alpine lakes.


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"Thanks for blathering on and exposing an area I have been to many times. The next time I

Contorted Log
This area gets heavy, heavy snowfall in winter. Evidence for this is everywhere...

go in I'll probably find some ipod wearing techno-geek like youself in my campsite. Keep it to yourself for christs sake! This is backpacking man, not some spew fest! "

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