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Running from the weather: Rae Lakes and more August 15, 2022 - I finally made it to Rae Lakes this year, after a wind event halted my hike there via Baxter Pass a few weeks ago. My goal was to enjoy Sixty Lake Basin, which I absolutely did, and I had varying weather to the point of confusion but overall it was sunny and warm. I am … Continue reading Running from the weather: Rae Lakes and more
Mojave Desert to See The Stars June 26, 2022 - It’s been a while since my partner took out the telescope and helped me see some celestial places up close. This weekend the moon was a late-rising crescent and the forecast called for clear skies and no wind so a last minute trip was floated this week and Saturday morning we headed out. No waking … Continue reading Mojave Desert to See The Stars
Day 5: No Hiking, Just A Giant Pancake June 25, 2022 - Instead of the hike out from a campsite near Baxter Pass per my original backpacking plans, I had been having the absolute best time day hiking. After a rough night trying to sleep in the car in Alabama Hills I knew what I needed. I needed Doug at the Whitney Portal Store to cook me … Continue reading Day 5: No Hiking, Just A Giant Pancake
Day 4: ALL THE MILES June 24, 2022 - The days of debating were over: I decided I was going to day hike to a view of Rae Lakes, where I was supposed to be backpacking if the first two days weren’t horribly windy, if it killed me. The shortest, and I think easiest, way there is out of Onion Valley, where I had … Continue reading Day 4: ALL THE MILES
Day 3: Finally I hike out of Lake Sabrina June 23, 2022 - I drove down from Rock Creek thinking I might still use my overnight permit to get to where I wanted (Rae Lakes and Sixty Lake Basin) so I headed south and thought to stay the night at Onion Valley. I got a sub sandwich for dinner and picked up two PCT through-hikers on the way … Continue reading Day 3: Finally I hike out of Lake Sabrina
Day 2: We Are Already In Heaven June 22, 2022 - Since I was no longer backpacking out of Baxter Pass to Rae Lakes due to intolerably high winds, I decided to hit some trails I’ve been meaning to do. I drove north, pondering heading all the way to Tahoe, but instead turned at Tom’s Place, just north of Bishop, to Rock Creek. The drive is … Continue reading Day 2: We Are Already In Heaven
Day 1: Baxter Pass Fail June 22, 2022 - The best laid plans can fall to ruin so fast! I was going to head into some light backcountry, still on at least marginally maintained trails, in my home-away-from-home eastern Sierra Nevada mountains. My well-thought-out and researched plan was to finally get to Rae Lakes and into Sixty Lake Basin but do it the hard … Continue reading Day 1: Baxter Pass Fail
Finally got to Moose Lake, sort of May 30, 2022 - Mind-blowingly stunning weekend in Sequoia Nat’l Park. I was supposed to take the now cross-country route to Moose Lake from Alta Meadow and make it a loop by exiting past Pear Lake. Almost worked out despite snow on the second part until wind…It is very crowded and getting worse by the minute: do NOT go … Continue reading Finally got to Moose Lake, sort of
Rock Creek Winter Backpack – Good news: my eyeballs didn’t freeze January 30, 2022 - It was a 5.5 hour drive but mostly carefree with a lovely sunrise coming up the 15. The temps in the high desert was in the high 40s (F) for the most part and the air was clean and clear, every detail on the mountains (Sierra Nevada to my left, Inyo then White to my … Continue reading Rock Creek Winter Backpack – Good news: my eyeballs didn’t freeze
Last Crumb – I paid $150 for raw cookies January 30, 2022 - You need understand that I love cookies. I’d give up eggs, fish, cheese, candy, caffeine – all the other loves and vices – if I could keep cookies. I want to start the absolutely useless charity of sending cookies to underprivileged peoples around the globe because I think more smiles would make the world a … Continue reading Last Crumb – I paid $150 for raw cookies