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| [ Archive Index ] [ 2003 ]
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| Sierrapalooza
- The Hodgeman's on the road again! The planning for this
year's 'palooza' started almost immediately following the success of the
Montana trip, last July. However, thanks to another hectic June around
home, it seems to have come up rather suddenly.
An 1800 km (1100 mi) road trip will take me to Sequoia NP, in California's Sierra Nevada range, for a major on-trail event. In fact, Sierrapalooza became so popular, that it was divided into two groups looping in opposite directions, in order to accommodate the two dozen hikers participating. |
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On The Road -
I've just finished working the night shift, and by 8 am on July 2nd I'm
ready to roll, stopping briefly at the border duty-free, while awaiting
the triumphant radio announcement regarding Vancouver's successful 2010
Olympic bid. It comes as a good omen for trip, as I clear customs and sail
down the I-5 to Portland.
I meet up with China Chas, for a quick tour of the sprawling Nike Intl. headquarters, before we set off to rendezvous with Nomad & Meerkat for dinner. Thanks Chas & Shannon, for the hospitality on the stop-over. The next leg of the journey takes me to Davis Ca, with a quick stop in
Roseburg Or, to collect Lady Hiker who has come in from the coast, and
visit briefly with Old Timer, who lives nearby. |
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| California - There's
not a cloud in sight and temperatures soar over 40°c (104°f), as Lady
Hiker & I roll into the Central Valley. A quick stop in Davis to
drop our bags, then Pepperdog takes us into Sacramento, where Hikerchic
will join us to meet Phaedrus and Dunk for dinner. I hope to get together
with you two, for a hike sometime soon. After picking up Big Poppa at the
airport, we return to Pepper's house, to get organized and rest up, for
the last leg of the road trip. Thanks a million Pepperdog, for all your
efforts to coordinate the car-pool. We really missed you on the palooza
trail this year. Friday, July 4th - Happy Birthday America - Pepper & Lady Hiker manage to identify Aussie at the airport, despite my description, and bring her down to Hikerchic's house, in nearby Stockton, where Big Poppa & I have assembled along with JVZ & Rockman. With the northern contingent now complete, we caravan down to Mineral King, to rendezvous with Phil, Naviguesser, Tom, Thick Energy & Trekkngirl. The temperature drops by 30°f to a pleasant mid-70s, as we climb the winding road to the trailhead campground at 1980m (6500 ft), where we join the bar-b-q and introductions. |
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Saturday, July 5th -
The Park Service has been doing a 'controlled burn' around the campground,
and the sky is hazy as I shake the ash from my tent. A short drive takes
us to the trailhead at 2438m (8000 ft), where we prepare marmot defenses
for our trucks. Apparently the 'whistlers', in this area, have a taste for
the chewy bits under the hood.
Finally, we hit the trail up the Monarch Cr drainage. As is usual with a large group, we spread out along the trail according to pace, and traverse the long ridge, below Mineral Peak, enroute to our first camp at Monarch Lk. Some of the group are feeling minor effects of the heat and elevation, but none too seriously. The treeless walls of the basin reflect the sun's heat, down onto our
lakeside camp at 3100m (10200 ft). The first arrivals seek relief in the
shade of a boulder, or with a quick dip in the lake. We set up our tents as
the last of the group arrives, and relax to enjoy the alpenglow on the
surrounding granite peaks. |
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| Sunday, July 6th - We
start the morning by immediately climbing to our high point of 3565m
(11700 ft), at Sawtooth Pass. Big Poppa, Aussie, Thick Energy & I take
a direct approach, while the rest make a more gradual traverse to the
west. "It's all down hill from there"..... well, not really. In
fact, we'll gain and lose more than 3960m (13000 ft) over the course of
the week.
From the pass we descend across a knee deep snow field, to an outcrop high above Columbine Lk. After a snack, the first group sets off again. It's not far to our next camp, and I'm in no particular hurry, so I decide to wait for the second group to carry on. JVZ, Trekkngirl, Rockman and Lady Hiker join me, in finding a route to the outlet of the lake below. Upon reaching the east end of the lake, we are surprised to encounter the first of the 'five-dayers' group, with whom we had hoped to camp tonight, down in Lost Canyon. They've decided to shorten their last-day exit over Sawtooth, by coming as far as Columbine today. Once again I linger for a while, to visit and to wait for the last of our group descending the basin. |
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Monday, July 7th -
Enter the 'Bug Zone'. Well, at least the mosquitoes weren't as bad as
Montana, last year. And, thanks again to the 'five-dayers' for
contributing their head nets.
Today we descend Lost Canyon, through beautifully forested meadows, and climb over a dry ridge, to a small unnamed lake. It's a gorgeous little spot, for a lunch break, and I'd be very tempted to pitch my tent right there. I vary my pace to hike with each of the groups, as we continue our traverse, high above the Big Arroyo Valley. A steady breeze keeps the bugs at bay, while we set up camp, at the lowest of Big Five Lakes (3050m / 10000 ft). A relaxing day on the trail and early arrival allows plenty of time, for fishing and lazing about, before dinner around the campfire and some lively conversation. Continued.....
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Sierrapalooza 2003 
