backpacking Galleries

Pt. Reyes backpack 11/7-8/09 :

Pt. Reyes backpack 11/7-8/09

Updated: Nov 09, 2009 4:46pm PST

JMT trek Aug 30-Sept5, 2009 : Sam, Brad and I treked 67 miles in the Eastern Sierra. Started in Onion Valley, over Kearsarge Pass and ending over Bishop Pass at South Lake. 5 passes, 6 nights, 7 days. Camped over 10 k 4 of 6 nights.

JMT trek Aug 30-Sept5, 2009

Sam, Brad and I treked 67 miles in the Eastern Sierra. Started in Onio ...

Updated: Sep 24, 2009 7:48pm PST

Grand Canyon 3/22-28/09

Updated: Apr 13, 2009 6:22am PST

Angel Island backpack 1/17-18/09 :

Angel Island backpack 1/17-18/09

Updated: Jan 21, 2009 5:33pm PST

Pt. Reyes bacpack 11/28-30/08 :

Pt. Reyes bacpack 11/28-30/08

Updated: Dec 03, 2008 6:58am PST

Lyell Canyon 'Yosemite' 9/18-21/08 :

Lyell Canyon 'Yosemite' 9/18-21/08

Updated: Sep 23, 2008 7:17am PST

Humboldt Toiyabe National Forest , Hover Wilderness : The DDD trip. (Divas,Dudes and a dog) Maria, Cindy, Mike and I met Navi at the Lower Twin lakes campground on Friday night so we could get an early start on the trail on Saturday. We were impressed on how beautiful the campground was. A couple of us slept under the stars by the river there. It was so warm I didn't need to zip my bag. The following morning we shuttled Navis car to Green Creek trailhead and then proceeded to our trailhead start at Virginia Lakes. The wind was already picking up and would get worse as the day went on. The nice thing about the wind was we stayed cool on the way up the pass. The views on the trail were spectacular. By the time we arrived at camp the wind was gusting at around 50-60 mph. We set up camp at East Lake and took a short swim/bath, caught some fish for dinner and enjoyed the scenery. During the night the wind was so fierce that it blew the dirt and debris into our tents covering us and our gear with dirt. It also ripped my front guideline from my tent. Some of us moved our tents in hopes to find a little shelter from the wind but I don't think it helped much. I repaired my tent enough to use it, buried it in rocks to help keep the dirt out. Worked ok but the wind gusts found a way to cover me and my gear in dirt again. Oh well. The second day Mike and I took a day hike to Green Lake. Not as nice as where we are camped but still pretty. The others lounged around camp and took pics there. When we returned, we fished some more. Caught a couple of big ones but released them. We tried to stay up long enough to do some star gazing but the winds were so strong and it was cold. So we watched the sun disappear on Dunderberg Peak and went to bed. Some time early in the morning the wind stopped. Wow. Nice! When we woke it was sunny but cold. Our water was freezing around the edges quickly. Made the hike out nice though. Despite the wind, it was an awesome trip. I plan to return to the area and maybe hike in to a different lake next time. Names to remember: Maria= Hot mama Mike= Frodo (did I spell it right?) T moment= me and my delemas DDD= Divas, Dudes and a dog Marias photos here:http://ladymaritel.smugmug.com/gallery/5799262_wEEB8#363889410_83tu4 Cindys photos here:http://clkreder.shutterfly.com/

Humboldt Toiyabe National Forest , Hover Wilderness

The DDD trip. (Divas,Dudes and a dog) Maria, Cindy, Mike and I met Na ...

Updated: Sep 02, 2008 10:19pm PST

JMT--North Lake to Reds Meadow : Sam, Tom, Gail and I started out at North Lake (elev. 9000)(out of Bishop). Our ending point would be Reds Meadow (near Mammoth) 75 miles later. We set aside 8 days for the trek with a daily mileage between 8-14. We had a re-supply at Vermillion Valley resort on day 5 and picked up two more hikers (Deon and Brad)to our group on day 6. They came in over Mono pass starting at Rock Creek and completed the trek with us. We lost Gail at VVR due to a knee injury. She's doing well now though. Day 1- We hiked 8.5 miles went over Piute Pass at 11423 elev and stayed on the inlet creek to Golden Trout Lakes (elev. 11073). The view was awesome but the skeeters were unbearable. total ascent-2820, descent- 814 no fires due to elev. Day 2- Hiked 10 miles to the Kings Canyon border (connectioning of the JMT trail) and camped at the San Joaquin River. Love the sound of the river rushing while sleeping. total ascent- 526, descent- 4411 Day 3- Hiked 9.5 miles to Sallie Keys Lakes (elev. 10220) Went over Seldon Pass at 10880. I got sick with a stomach bug this day and had a hard time the last 3 miles. But I made it and even tried to fish a while later. (Thanks Sam for sticking by me) Beautiful lakes. I recommend staying there. Skeeters were bad though as well as the biting flys. total ascent- 2065, descent- 609 Day 4- Hiked 9 miles to Bear Creek (elev. 9197) The downhill this day did us all in and we were ready to camp. Now to find a spot along this creek(river) without too bad of skeeters. Not happening! We crossed a large rushing river to get the most awesome (skeeter infested) camp spot. Oh, and what an awesome swim lagoon. I loved this spot and we all took advantage of the swimming spot. Total Ascent- 1453, descent- 2146 Day 5- Hiked 10.6 miles to Vermillion Valley Resort. (elev. 7559) Total descent- 1448, descent 2501 (brutal)Here we would pick up the resupply we sent and Gail would catch a ride out to go home leaving Sam, Tom and I to continue. We arrived, ate lunch in the cafe, slept in a tent cabin (with a mattress), had dinner in the cafe, showered, did laundry and drank bear and wine. Yeah, good stuff. We played cards and sat by the fire pit and talked with other through hikers. It was really cool. The next morning they shuttled us down to the very low lake and we boated across to the trailhead at the other end shaving off about 5 miles. It was worth it and fun too. Day 6- Hiked 11 miles to Squaw Lake. Plus we met up with Deon and Brad on the trail today. The trek seemed mostly uphill and extreme. Total ascent- 2654, descent- 1613. We went over Silver Pass at 10895. Squaw Lake is wonderful and Brad caught enough fish for a king to feast on. Way to go Brad. Day 7- Hiked 8 miles to Purple lake. Beautiful place. A few more fish for dinner here. We camped on the outlet creek so we had awesome water rushing noise to sleep by again. Had a fire here and it helped to keep the skeeters away after dark. Total ascent- 1748, descent 2300 Day 8- Hiked 14 miles to Reds Meadow. The last 4 miles or so was brutal with a burned out forest and no shade. I could feel the sorrow in the burned out forest as I walked alone. Then I'd look up and see the awesome mountains in the background and it would remind me of the future of life to offer. I was so glad to finally get to Reds Meadow and celebrate with the guys. The hot spring showers were awesome. We had 'all you can eat' Bar-B-Q, some beer and partied a little more at the backpackers campground where we made friends with other through hikers. The guys got me up early (5 am) to hike AGAIN to the Devils Postpile. It was well worth it although I wasn't feeling too well. (Thanks for the coffee guys) Oh, And being a Princess is good for me after 8 days on the trail. :) Thanks!!!!! We headed for the shuttle out of Reds Meadow and met Gail and her husband 'Tom" at the Mammoth parking around 9:30. Thanks again Tom and Gail. I had a great time and look forward to next year with all of you.

JMT--North Lake to Reds Meadow

Sam, Tom, Gail and I started out at North Lake (elev. 9000)(out of Bis ...

Updated: Aug 08, 2008 7:32am PST

Lost Coast '08 : Paige's youtube video here: http://www.youtube.com/user/paigefalk Paige's photos here: http://paigefalk.smugmug.com/gallery/5030891_vCJqv#P-1-12a Barbara's photos here: http://harthiker.smugmug.com/gallery/5029158_qce62#301967096_d4vYV Steve's photos: http://www.brilliantmedia.com/bp/lc08/ Rebecca's photos here: http://www.calipidder.com/gallery/gallery2/v/NorCal/lostcoast08/ Pavla and Larry's photos here: http://www.larryandpavla.com/Photo_Albums/2008/May/LostCoast/index.html

Lost Coast '08

Paige's youtube video here: http://www.youtube.com/user/paigefalk Pa ...

Updated: Jun 01, 2008 7:53am PST

Cache Creek- Redbud Trail- backpack : Barbara, Bex, David, Dave and I Headed to the Cache Creek (Redbud Trail) for an easy overnighter. At just around 3 miles in we set up camp next to the creek which was running pretty high. The highlight of this trip was the wildflowers. We had some fairly high winds on Saturday but it seemed to calm down for the hike out on Sunday. It was a great weekend with awesome company. Maybe I'll make it back in the fall and try to make it across the creek to camp at Wilson Valley. I hear there's a nest of Eagles in that area. ;)

Cache Creek- Redbud Trail- backpack

Barbara, Bex, David, Dave and I Headed to the Cache Creek (Redbud Trai ...

Updated: Apr 28, 2008 4:07pm PST

lassen Snow backpack trip : Maria, jason and I headed to Lassen to meet Duane on Friday. Steve, Frank and Marcy were to meet us there on Saturday. Duane had brought his snowmobile to haul me in due to my illness and lack of strenght. We arrived at the trailhead around 2:00 to find that the snow was too patchy to use the snowmobile so we started our hike in. My pack was somewhere in the 40-45 pound range and I was having a hard time in the snow. Around 4 miles in I got to exausted and had to stop. So we set up camp in a beautiful flat area with very nice hugh trees. It snowed lighly the entire time but didn't dampen our fun at all. Saturday the 4 of us headed for a dayhike to our original camp destination 'Butte Lake'. I was still very tired and sore from the hike in but made it. The scenery was well worth the effort. We were the only ones out there and everything was untouched as if we had discovered a new territory of our own. Just minutes after returning to camp, Steve, Frank and Marcy arrived. We sledded, ate and partied by the campfire till well after the stars came out. We had an awesome time and it was great seeing everyone again. Thanks to everyone for making the trip so enjoyable. Thank you Duane for bringing the snowmobile even though we couldn't use it. Thank you Jason and Maria for driving. Can't wait to get out there again. Marias photos here: http://ladymaritel.smugmug.com/gallery/4596429_ZPCAG#272731887

lassen Snow backpack trip

Maria, jason and I headed to Lassen to meet Duane on Friday. Steve, Fr ...

Updated: Apr 01, 2008 7:26pm PST