Um, well... Over the years I've gotten spoiled with BB being the shutterbug! And, well.. Um... I'm really hoping the shots OD took of me soaking in the pool stay private! The refraction of the water wasn't kind*... And I wouldn't want to blind anyone with my pale skin! * though I now have great contrast pics between the "tea" colored water of Kauai's Lonomea and the utterly clearby JustKeepWalking - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I would have totally rolled around in the water to cool off too! Great pics! I assume the +1 means you did it on the 5th? Up where we were, heading to and beyond Ostrander Lake, the 4th was utterly hot and muggy. Friday was still really warm for us, but had a cooler, drier breeze which was much appreciated.by JustKeepWalking - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
B Team, eh? Well the B Team had a lot of fun! We were enjoying ourselves and the scenery every step! Glorious weather, just warm enough to enjoy a fabulous swim in a pool upstream of the Illilouette ford. Old Dude, like the Pink One, doesn't like to dip as much as I do, but was gracious enough to give me as much time as I wanted soaking and lounging in that utterly clear, cool and delicious waterby JustKeepWalking - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Lucky you with no crowds! When we spent a few weeks a few years ago day hiking the three National Parks, I remember full trailheads and lots of people... Especially when the weekends rolled around. It was berry season!!! Really lovely shots! The view from the 6500 ' pass reminds me how strange I felt in alpine country up there-- too much air!!!by JustKeepWalking - General Discussion
I almost opted to pass up a lovely swimming hole on a river (you'll find out which soon) on our hike out yesterday. It was 10:30 in the morning, we still had the bulk of the climbing to do.. but it was a perfect swimming hole: clean, clear, cool enough to soothe, not so cold I couldn't soak, and big rocks on the bottom, so no silty mess as I moved about and bonus rocks I could lounge on with my hby JustKeepWalking - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
So... I generally carry a bag dedicated to trash while hiking/backpacking. But this past weekend, Basilbop was off on a cross-country adventure while I took the trail, still nursing my ankle. On his travels, he found several balloons. At least one of them was a mylar balloon he stuffed into his pants' cargo pocket. I just spent waaaay too long trying to get all the mylar dust out of his pocketby JustKeepWalking - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
OMG, yick re: break. SOOO very sorry! Give him my best! Little Lakes Basin is a short hike from the Mosquito Flat Trailhead at the end of Rock Creek Road, from Tom's Place on 395. Google and you'll find a lot of good info. Here's a start on a big area to whet your appetite: http://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/inyo/recreation/?cid=stelprdb5403323&width=full SOOOOO much stuff from 3by JustKeepWalking - General Discussion
Again, entertainment budget.. I love this photo of BB! Awesome, thanks! He has his poles, doesn't he? It looks like he's using them...by JustKeepWalking - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
That's awesome you've done that! Never thought of doing that. And now it seems like an obvious thing to look into... When we finally get to landscaping, I want quail and lizard-friendly plants... Bat houses... Maybe should take to a PM but I'm seriously interested in learning more... Some of my fondest memories are of evenings falling to sleep in the Sierras watching the bats fly over me havinby JustKeepWalking - General Discussion
I love bats. They do get a bad rap... And very worried about white nose fungus... That pic! Too bad the little guy isn't in sharper focus. How utterly adorable... Yes, some bats might look funny, but I find most are adorable. I also love reptiles and amphibians and think our little brood of modern-day dinosaurs are the cutest ever. Yup, I'm parent-proud of our psittacines! And some would say a biby JustKeepWalking - General Discussion
Fun! I think I liked the old clip at the end the best, great views even if obviously older film stock... Don't know if Huell was acting up for the camera or serious, but the pilot was good about keeping his cool with Huell crying about how close the mountains were! He did say they'd be 200 feet above the water, that implies other things, at least it did to me... Also was amused to hear how the coby JustKeepWalking - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I know what we r watching during dinner!! More after I see the whole thing but I'm already psyched! Thanks!!!by JustKeepWalking - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
So, maybe something in the 7.5-8k' range - Postpile area should work well? We basically live at sea level (1000'). Used to be we'd "follow the snow line" up during the season, so we'd start at 4000' and go up to 6000', then the next trip/weekend we'd do that again if we hadn't felt great, or do 4-7k. and as the snow melted and roads opened, we'd go higher and higher, in 1-2k' incrementsby JustKeepWalking - General Discussion
Don't let him tell you otherwise.. He got LUCKY! And he came trotting back immediately after taking it to show me! It answered the question going through my head as to what was making such big splash noises and rings. I was never looking at the right time. I wondered if a fish just popping its head up would do it, or was a bird dive-bombing... but no.. the freaking fish were flying!by JustKeepWalking - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
It was a treat to see that TR come up again. I LOVE walking through the flooded trail. Only happens early on, sadly.. You have a GREAT time out there and have fun exploring! And definitely come back write a nice TR for us! Cannot get enough...by JustKeepWalking - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Running late, so this will be quick. If you are concerned about altitude at Bristlecone Pine forest walks, (just over 10,000') then don't go to Mosquito Flat trailhead, ~10,300' and hike a couple of hundred feet higher into the basin. Google Little Lakes Basin (Or Valley) and you'll get a lot of info. It's lovely. The trail to Mono Pass (and beyond to the Recesses and further) branches relaby JustKeepWalking - General Discussion
Backpackinglight.com when I can, though not often of late. barely keeping up with this site.by JustKeepWalking - General Discussion
Nummy nummy area! LOVE LOVE LOVE. Isn't that Little Lakes to Mono Pass a great little day hike? So much bang for the hiking buck, I like to say! Dang. Need more time to get to the Eastern Sierras to play more... Thanks for posting!by JustKeepWalking - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Sorry we missed you in Yosemite... we hiked out Saturday at the Mono Meadow TH. I do love the color, but I've had claustrophobia problems in so many small tents, so I go for shelters now and only when forced to... we are waiting on our MLD Trailstar to arrive. The 8-week don't-hold-your-breath window ends on Friday and I'll start fidgeting. And if the Trailstar doesn't work out, we're gettingby JustKeepWalking - General Discussion
Bingo. I love great camera hardware, but I have long ago realized I don't have the "eye" (nor the steady hands or patience to overcome either)... I think some photogs might get lucky here and again. But I figure if I see a lot of great shots from one source, it's the photographer who has the eye, has the time to compose, wait for the perfect lighting, perfect editing, etc, etc. I give tby JustKeepWalking - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Once the links are fixed (moderator assistance on aisle 1, please), I'm sure you'll be getting a lot of responses!by JustKeepWalking - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Have you poked around Little Lakes Basin? You can keep it mellow and hit a bunch of lakes, or scoot up to Mono Pass (South) or Morgan Pass, (I'd go Mono for day trip)... http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4.php?ll=37.417679,-118.760012&t=t1&z=14 Crazy pretty area... Lotsa bang for hiking buck. Extremely popular, get to parking at end of road early...or you'll end up parking on roadby JustKeepWalking - General Discussion
You get it... I figure hiking is my thing. My entertainment budget goes to gear. I don't go to the Opera anymore, no concerts, no shows, hardly any movies in theatres, and rarely an amusement park. I spend my pennies on my gear, in permit reservations, gas, cars, house (ouchie)... The Bearikade makes my life better, I've never been frustrated with it, and it's had so much use over the years, iby JustKeepWalking - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I could not get the lid to turn. Between grit and freezing cold, (and I mean ice on everything) I couldn't spin the lid (this has happened several times for me), I saw the little nubbie clear the "stop", just couldn't grip and spin the lid at that point. I have tendonitis in my right wrist, and just haven't had the ability to spin that lid reliably. Insult on injury, the BV Solo weigby JustKeepWalking - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Basilbop and I have been very happy owners of a Bearikade Weekender for years now*. For the past year or so, we've been thinking about ordering a custom-sized Bearikade. We even borrowed our friend's Expedition (14.5" to see if we liked that size or wanted to go bigger. We hemmed and hawed. We stalled. We stalled and hemmed and hawed because their website says "no returns on custom orderby JustKeepWalking - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Nummy nummy lake! Looking forward to it! Just ordered a custom 16" Bearikade for that trip. BBop doesn't want his fritos crushed!by JustKeepWalking - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thanks for the report! Love that trip! First time through canyon was hot and muggy, and when we hit Tuolumne Peak I was in heaven. Been a favorite ever since.. Would love to see pics if you get a chance! Congrats!by JustKeepWalking - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thank you, thank you! Loved the pics!!! Yup, would have loved to dip into so many of the lakes and creeks!!! Did that storm hit you? Love the clouds! (And the UFO-visible pack cover! ) And amazing contrast between 2011 and 2013. Thanks for driving that home... The dryness we saw was scary for this time of year... Anyway, will have to get up there...by JustKeepWalking - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Base weight will include a few pounds of basic emergency gear, clothing and food, and up to 3 litres of water. We often do *long* hikes, we've done desert hikes. Sometimes water isn't easy to get.. 3 litres of water is 6.6 pounds, pack weighs 2 pounds. Add 1-2 pounds of food, 2 pounds of "gear" (GPS, radio, first aid, bug spray, sunscreen, rain jacket, gloves, hat, sundries, headlamp) aby JustKeepWalking - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Loved this! Thank you! Also love love love your tent color!!! Lucky you! Have a great trip out to and in Yosemite!!by JustKeepWalking - General Discussion