One Way Ticket to Somewhere

  The PCT follows the Tahoe Rim Trail for a few days, entering spectacular Desolation Wilderness.   Aloha Lake. Just One Of The Many Beautiful Lakes Here It is here that many hikers experience encounters with bears that have become very skilled at cutting down ropes used to hang food from trees. This happened to three hikers that I know. They had to head all the way back to South Lake Tahoe to buy new supplies. This area does not mandate that backpackers carry bear resistant canisters, so most hikers choose to ship the bulky and heavy containers home as soon as they leave the area of the Sierra Nevada where they are required. Bears seem to be highly aware of this… I had kept mine for peace of mind and had no problems while camping at beautiful Tamarack and Richardson Lakes. Richardson Lake Tamarack Lake I hiked for a day through Granite Chief Wilderness which again looked like a wildflower paradise. I have hiked through wildflowers since the beginning of my journey. Grani...

I spent a night in Mammoth Lakes to launder my clothes, ship my ice ax and spikes home and, of course, have some delicious town food. So far I had lost about 20 pounds and I worked hard to get some of them back.  On the way back to the PCT I checked out the odd basalt formations of the Devil’s Post Pile National Monument. Devil’s Postpile - Needs Some Sorting Next I entered the amazing Ansel Adams Wilderness with its pretty lakes. 1000 Island Lake - Water Tastes Just Like The Dressing The mountain passes in the Sierra Nevada usually provide sweeping vistas over the valleys on either side. Donahue Pass is no exception and I was rewarded for the steep climb with amazing views. This pass is also the border to Yosemite Wilderness.  View From Donahue Pass The PCT permit does not include any backpacking into and around Yosemite Valley, but I had secured a separate permit to hike from the PCT at Tuolumne Meadows over the Tuolumne and Vogelsang Passes into the valley.  First Rain...