This was the first backpacking trip that I planned myself. Prior to this, I had gone on several trips in college as part of the Wilderness Survival class.
To celebrate the end of a long stretch spanning medical school and residency, I had decided to treat myself by taking this epic loop.
We left home Monday morning and arrived mid-day in Sequoia National Park, touring Moro Rock, Tunnel Log, and the General Sherman Tree. The first night was spent acclimatizing at the Dorst Creek Campground.
It was here that I started thinking about the calories we are taking on the trip, and mentally adding meals and provisions, I don’t think there’s enough. Breakfast and lunch were mostly Nature Valley Oats and Honey bars, so I suggested that we get a bottle of olive oil to drink to make up for the calories.
Early Tuesday, we drove over into the depths of Kings Canyon. At Road’s End, we picked up our permit, got bear canisters, and hiked 4 miles to Sphinx Junction to set up camp.
After a great night, we hiked along Bubbs Creek, following the gentle uphill grade through Junction Meadow. We made camp at mosquito-infested Vidette Meadow. For dinner, I had dehydrated tomato paste to reconstitute for spaghetti sauce.
Thursday, while hiking up to Glen Pass, we felt very out of breath. With every step, I could hear my heart race. But soon, we stood at the top. On the other side, we met a group of three big guys heading up the pass, doing the loop clockwise, opposite of our trip. We encouraged them on.
Rae Lakes was a destination itself. The basin was beautiful, expansive, and dotted with domes, peaks, and lakes. We meandered through the gentle landscape, headed north to Dollar Lake, and spent Friday night at Woods Creek Junction.
We met a group of kids from a diabetic camp, and one girl was limping from a dislocated patella. I reduced it and helped her get back to walking again, and hopefully, the group made it out OK.
Most of the pictures from Saturday through the rest of the trip will have been lost by Redlands Color Lab, the entire rolls from the last two days.
Saturday’s stroll took us down Wood’s Creek through Upper, Middle, and Lower Paradise, where we set up camp. The next day, we hiked the last six miles, taking time to enjoy Mist Falls, the tallest in this national park.
All in all, it was 46 miles of spectacular scenery. The biggest thing I learned from planning this first trip and going on it was: pre-plan food by counting calories, and never again will I just have the same granola bars day after day. Every backpacking meal is going to taste good from now on.
And, the rest of the photos were lost.