Backpacking High sierras - September 2025
Paul and I drove from northwest Oregon to Bishop, California, where we entered the high Sierras. This was Paul's first time, and of course, he loved it. I was 2 weeks from becoming 79 years old and knew from my last backpack up this trail, that a hike that would normally take 1 day would take me 3, so we had arranged for a pack outfitter to give us and our backpacks a ride to 11,200'. This was to be my last such high altitude trip. I wanted to spread the ashes of my backpacking buddy, Dan, for 60 years, in a place he had loved.
We got in just in time as the weather was to change radically 2 1/2 days from our entry date. We had planned to stay longer but the threat of days of rain, sleet, and snow changed our minds.
(Note: We and the packer guide rode mules. They are more sure-footed and steadier than horses, we learned. As this trail is rugged and at times, exposed, this was good. To an inexperienced person, a mule rode much like a horse.)
We got in just in time as the weather was to change radically 2 1/2 days from our entry date. We had planned to stay longer but the threat of days of rain, sleet, and snow changed our minds.
(Note: We and the packer guide rode mules. They are more sure-footed and steadier than horses, we learned. As this trail is rugged and at times, exposed, this was good. To an inexperienced person, a mule rode much like a horse.)