We got started on Friday afternoon with a chaotic departure... Wildfires shutting down freeways, a whole container of vaseline liquified and dumped into my pack, and we packed more stuff than I EVER thought possible into a rented Grand Prix.
Serop and Rey at departure
But after rolling into Motel 6 -Fresno at 1 am, and stepping around the 4 police cruisers and the paramedic who were actively quelling a fight, we got some rest and then headed to Florence Lakes in Sierra National Forest for a short hike to get warmed-up.
Wild Mountain Azaleas - Worth the stop by the side of the 1-lane road
Florence Lakes - View at start of hike
We camped in the Sierra National Forest that night, and then did our biggest hike the next day. Kaiser Peak, in the Sierra National Forest, is a solid 10,320 mountain. Its about a 11 mile hike, with 3K feet of elevation gain/loss. The best part was the snow field on top. We took ice axes and got to "play" in the snow. The guys taught me a lot about winter hiking safety and stuff.
Brent and Paul near top of Kaiser Peak
Last day was Mineral King, down in the Sequioa National Park. Its a GREAT little mountain hideaway. Sparse crowds, pretty remote, and with a lot of neat history from the families who have "grandfathered" cabins in the park.
View of Sawtooth Peak in Mineral King
Not too many photos of me conquering the hill. So sad- About 1 mile in, my goof-genes kicked in and I crashed my knee down on a rock and had to limp back to camp for ice and ibuprofin. So I missed a good hike, but know that this is a place to go back to.
All in all- A lot of fun, but I was DEFINITELY happy to get back to San Diego and celebrate the 4th with Kat.
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