Backpacking Mono Meadows to Clark Fork of Illilouette Creek – Day 1 to Ottoway Lake
On August 24th through the 28th 2013 six Michigan Technological University alumni (Curtis, myself, Jacquie, Dan, Kate, and Kris) were to backpack Yosemite National Park, from the Hwy 120 down to the valley. It was to be the quintessential backpacking trip, half dome hike included… but since the Rim Fire happened to be blowing up that very weekend, in the words Kenny Rogers (and latter covered by punk band Elmer):…
The Rim Fire from Groveland
In case you have not heard, the big news around Groveland & this stretch of of the Sierra recently has been the Rim Fire, currently at 228,680 acres & the 4th largest wildfire in California history. Curtis, I, and our pets (Basil and Herman) are now back at home and safe, but it was an adventure getting here! We survived home evacuations, road closures, visitors, and backpacking trips during this chaotic…
Backpacking Buckeye Creek, Hoover Wilderness
A couple of firsts this 4th of July weekend – My first backpacking trip of 2013 and Curtis & I’s first backpacking trip in the Hoover Wilderness! I choose this trip out of Exploring Eastern Sierra Canyons: Sonora Pass to Pine Creek, which I recently found and bought a copy of in the Groveland Museum (which I was surprised to see has the best selection of regional hiking books and…
Starting the 30 Day Vegan Challenge & looking at Vegan Backpacking
So, February is over… and while I did get into my new well rounded fitness routine, I did not get around to exploring as many different sources of fitness knowledge. On the other hand, it seems like the best way to see results is not to graze on many different idea, but to pick one and stick to it! So with that said I am going to be sticking to…
Hiking Wine Glasses for Valentines Day & Camping Dates!
With Valentines Day tomorrow romance is on the mind- & the stereotypical kind at that – like hearts, chocolate, flowers, & wine. All of these things are actually pretty prominent when hiking, which is probably why getting outdoors with you significant other is always such a great “Date”: The natural flora (flowers), Trail mix or a snickers bar if your lucky (chocolate), & Cardiovascular exercise (hearts)! But we all know what is missing from this list – The Wine!…
Thousand Island Lake to the Rush Creek Trailhead – Backpacking Thousand Island Lake Day 3
We knew it was going to be around 7 miles and a REALLY LONG DECENT DOWN. But even if you know that it will be a long hike down it doesn’t necessarily hit you until you are looking down the rocky talus switchbacks to the speck of Agnew Lake and you think to yourself: “What possessed someone to put a trail here?”
Garnet Lake to Thousand Island Lake – Backpacking Thousand Island Lake Day 2
We started our super short 3-ish mile hike to Thousand Island Lake around noon. Extra-curricular exploring included a little off trail climb after exiting the Garnet lake basin (good views of the mountains, Garnet Lake, and just a sliver of Mono Lake was visible in the distance) followed by lunching down at Ruby Lake
Shadow Creek Trail Head to Garnet Lake – Backpacking Thousand Island Lake Day 1
Curtis had been (good-intentionally!) pressuring his brother, John, to come down to visit the Sierra and going hike on the John Muir Trail (JMT) for over a year now… and he did! Over the course of 3 days (Day 2 & Day 3 blogs) we visited Thousand Island and Garnet Lakes hiking approximately 17 miles on and off of the JMT on our through hike from Agnew Meadows down to Silver…
Glen Aulin to Pothole Dome – Backpacking the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne Day 4
The 4th and last day of hiking the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne – time to get excited for some (veggie) burgers, beer, and sitting! The hike would take us up the trail past White Cascade and Tuolumne falls, where we would then stay…
Hello! I am a 30-something outdoors-lady, backpacker, and resident of Groveland, California - 
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