Backpacking in Sierra

After a two-night trip in the Santa Cruz Mountains earlier this summer, in August, Rick and two friends went backpacking into the Sierras’ Desolation Wilderness for a few days. The lakes were still partially frozen and the trail was still covered quite a bit in snow. This made reaching their goal a challenge that required a lot of map-reviewing, consultation among the three, trial and error with some advancing and retreating, patience, and a good sense of humor. Definitely the scenery was beautiful, making the trip worthwhile of course.

Then in late September Rick and another friend once again headed for the Sierras, this time into the Ansel Adams Wilderness with its Ritter Mountain Range. This is on the eastern slopes of the Sierras, behind Yosemite and not too far from Mammoth Lake. Snow had already fallen in the area once, but these two were willing to face the cold to view some gorgeous, rugged mountains and alpine lakes and streams. There was very

Robin finishes stuffing his backpack before heading into the Desolation Wilderness

Brian ensures that he can lead Robin & Rick through the snowy trails in Desolation Wilderness

Rick takes a rest before climbing the next mountain in Desolation Wilderness

1 of many stunning scenes in Desolation Wilderness

Natural dam creates a cascade, Desolation Wilderness

Stunning alpine lake in Desolation Wilderness

Rick next to a cascade in Desolation Wilderness

Mountains' reflection in calm alpine lake, Desolation Wilderness

Double image, Desolation Wilderness

Self-portrait in Desolation Wilderness

Panorama of eastern slope of Sierra, near Ansel Adams Wilderness

Jim takes a rest in Ansel Adams Wilderness

Cascading creek next to trail in Ansel Adams Wilderness

Gorgeous mountains of Ritter Range overlooking alpine lake, Ansel Adams Wilderness

Spring runoff--in Sept., Ansel Adams Wilderness

Rick's selfie near a cascade, Ansel Adams Wilderness

Ready for the trail again in Ansel Adams Wilderness

And this is why one hikes into the Ansel Adams Wilderness

Dramatic mountains in Ansel Adams Wilderness

Rick inserts himself into the mountain panorama, Ansel Adams Wilderness

Most of the trail is visible, Ansel Adams Wilderness

Trees frame mountains in Ritter Range, Ansel Adams Wilderness

Frozen snowmelt during the day means very cold at night, Ansel Adams Wilderness

Grand views while hiking in Ansel Adams Wilderness

Mountains stretch right down to lake, Ansel Adams Wilderness

Lake is almost calm enough for a perfect reflection, Ansel Adams Wilderness

Clear mountain stream beneath the Ritter Range in Ansel Adams Wilderness

Jim takes a photo of this glorious view, Ansel Adams Wilderness

Talk about rugged beauty, Ansel Adams Wilderness

Ritter Range is mostly above treeline, Ansel Adams Wilderness

Perfect! Ansel Adams Wilderness

End of the backpacking trip in Ansel Adams Wilderness

little snow on these trails but a lot of snow on the ground. During two of the four nights, it was so cold that Rick wore virtually all the clothes he had inside his sleeping bag in his tent. But he said it was all worthwhile.

Altogether, Rick got some good use out of his new, lighter backpacking gear, built some “manly” comradery, and enjoyed some absolutely fabulous scenery.

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