Sierrapalooza II 2004  

Trip Report - July 10 to 16, 2004

Trip Report - Part 2

Photo Galleries & Links

**SUMMARY: Acclimation for the "high" life began. It was a warm reunion with friendly folks, too much good food, the first fire, cozy camping quarters, and uplifting laughter.**

What more could we wish for, clear skies, high spirits and cheese cake. The group began to trickle in, on Saturday afternoon. Two new Trail Talkers, Cubfan and Trail Angel had a lot of names to remember. The potluck party included Gonzo, Phil's Son, Hickerchic, Hodgeman, Phil, Landscaper, Wannabp, Trekkngirl, Naviguesser, Matt the webmaster, Geologyguy, Rockman, WindWalker, and Ladyhiker. All were present to grub on a generous amount of yummy food and drinks (Navi Ale included). Geologyguy brought plenty of wood, to stoke the flames that evening. Tall tails of past TT adventures were flickering about the veterans, almost as fast as the flames on the timber. Campsites were cozy. A few TTers even mentioned the next day, that a snoring contest was evident that night, the winners of which we all knew needed to be mentally added to the National Park Service 100 feet distance rule. Soon enough the stars came out, tummies were full, and the anticipation of the first days hike out was heightened by the fact that it was only a nights sleep (or turning and tossing) away.

**SUMMARY: South Lake TH to Dusy Basin with heavy first day packs and many 'firsts' for the trip, including, first snow, first pass, and first Marmot sighting. **

Ahh, the familiar glow of a tent at sunrise. When you ask yourself three questions, "should I get up and pee?", "should I roll over one more time and see if I can get a few good minutes of sleep in?", or "wait... listen... is anyone else up yet, I don't want to be the last to get ready! I think I'll rub my face, tie up my boots, and start thinking about what's for breakfast."

"YESSS! potluck leftovers!". Regardless of the answer, tent zippers unzipped, and bright eyed and bushy tailed TTers drank their tea and coffee, ate their breakfast, greeted one another with 'good mornings' and 'how did you sleep?', then packed bags. The group was also joined by the last (but definitely not least) link in the chain, JVZ. Wannabp and Landscaper, by far the potluck's largest suppliers (BBQ chicken, watermelon, etc.), needed a little help packing things up in the morning. But as soon as goodies and extras were loaded back in our vehicles and backpacks were thrown into Geologyguy's truck, we all departed. Some to North Lake, where 6 days later we would stumble back to our cars, and the rest directly to South Lake. But eventually those at North Lake were shuttled back to the South Lake TH to begin our adventure.

After the group photo, we grabbed our heavy packs (Matt theWebmaster won that contest - Congrats Matt!), added our first (or second...or third) layers of sunscreen and Deet, and began to lift our boots up the trail headed toward our first elevated goal, Bishop Pass. As the hike up started we all became a little more aware of our lung capacity (or lack thereof) and heavy legs. Rockman was already sick from what seemed to be an unwanted flu bug and Wannabp, along with a few others, were already feeling the joys of minor altitude sickness. We all spread out through the early portion of the day, but soon stopped for lunch at the outlet to Long Lake, where we were happily greeted by what seemed to be a medium sized black lab/retriever mix and her master sitting on a rock contemplating where the rest of his group might have gone. After a few blessed nibbles of snacks that we would all be talking about the rest of the trip (Ahh, the coveted OREO!), and a well deserved rest, we gathered our packs and strapped in. Bishop Pass here we come.

Part of the ascent to Bishop Pass looked like a stone castle and was gawked at as we all got closer. With fresh first day legs, but unrelentingly heavy packs we all trudged up the pass. I think Rockman threw the first snowball of the trip and Navi proved, yet again, that slow and steady was his favorite pace. Before we knew it, the first pass had been reached. TrailAngel and Hodgeman were the first of a handful that scampered up the ridge we had all previously stared at from below. All that climbed to the ridge-top took scenic accomplishment photos and snapped a few shots of the "beloved" Marmots along the way.

Again we gathered our packs and headed down Dusy Basin to the our first camp. Camp was set as everyone staked out their spot and a quasi kitchen was set up on the granite facing out toward the mountains. Gonzo, Matt theWebmaster, Ladyhiker, and JVZ had their own dinner party by their little tent villa, ending in a slight rearrangement of bear canister contents. Hikerchic wasn't able to join in the group follies, nor enjoy her food, due to an altitude headache and lack of appetite, as well as TrailAngel, but they did their best.

When the Alpine glow had disappeared off the mountain-sides and the stars appeared again, it was time for many to turn in for the evening. We snuggled into our sleeping bags, some on post-Day 1 pain killers and uplifters (liquid and solid form), and finally slept (some all night, some, not at all).

**SUMMARY: On to Big Pete Meadows where the wild flowers, granite water falls, and deer were plenty.**

After breakfast, the group departed camp under blue sky and started the decent toward the John Muir Trail. At the Dusy Basin outlet the group gathered on a granite face to enjoy lunch and bask in the sunlight with the canvassed beauty of the mountains across the valley for a backdrop. The trek continued on into the Valley, to the Ranger station. Phil'sSon, Matt theWebmaster, and TrailAngel went to say "hi", but the only trace of a ranger was a note stating he was on an extended hike.

Phil'sSon, Geologyguy, Matt theWebmaster, Rockman, and TrailAngel pressed on, while others rested in the shade at the fork in the road to direct the tail trekkers down the correct path. After breathtaking meadow scenery, wild onions, and a few stops to check off trail for a group campsite, the front group finally settled in a pine grove adjacent to one of the many streams running into the green valley. Some searched for water holes to bathe in, and there was talk of using Navi's water bladder for group showers (oops! I mean showers for the group :P).

The normal afternoon chores of filtering, washing, and tent setting eventually turned into firing up the stoves to prep for dinner. JVZ won the contest for the loudest stove with his Svea. Just before Gonzo, Rockman, and Phil'sSon started to gather wood for the coveted fire, a visitor (or two) began to wander around the kitchen. The two curious deer seemed extraordinarily tame, circling around the campfire into the night, inviting a half-dozen deer photos.

The evening meal evolved around our new inanimate friend Eugene. Eugene, named and assisted on the trail by Matt theWebmaster (no wonder your pack weighed a ton Matt :), appeared to be the new TT mascot. He is a 'stout' gnome, about 8 inches in height with a little red pointed cap and shovel in hand. Eugene had the pleasure of sleeping outside Matt theWebmasters tent every night, but this special evening Eugene had to be inducted into the group, therefore he had to learn a few things about backpacking and who better to teach him but fellow TTers. Eugene soon learned how to cook a backpacking meal, smoke a Hodgeman cigarette, climb inside a bear canister, and stay far away from Rockman's antics.

After dinner around a warm fire, discussion of the next days direction and length erupted into a tennis match of ideas. Back and forth brainstorming transformed into explanation and eventually discussion. The result, we would all go onto the Unnamed Lake (a.k.a. Eugene Lake or Wedding Ring Lake - see Day 3 for details on this name). Some of the group decided to turn in after the discussion, while the rest enjoyed the fire a wee bit longer. More campfire inspired photos were taken of Eugene and eventually the last handful of TTers with remaining energy meandered over to the meadow for a short night hike.

**SUMMARY: On to Unnamed Lake, where a wedding ring and frogs (not fish) co-existed for a few hours.**

The days elevation gain and lateral distance was not going to be extreme, so the group took their time in the morning, except for a few early birds, like Trekkngirl. Everyone seemed somewhat alleviated by the short distance, but it still wasn't easy. Again, we all congregated on a granite face overlooking the valley, only now we could see the drainage we hiked down from the day before and some of the Big Pete meadows. Hodgeman and TrailAngel took a little jaunt up the more elevated granite face and enjoyed a spectacular view of the valley and mountains beyond, which from below could not be seen. After a few naps on the rock and lunch, the trekkers continued on in small groups.

The Unnamed Lake looked so inviting to the first group that they decided to take off their boots and test the water. Cubfan, wind walker, TrailAngel, Phil'sSon, Geologyguy, and Phil decided to wade around in the chilling water and try to catch the frogs sunning themselves on the rocks. Thanks to WindWalker, one little frog found out very fast that jumping onto bellies was not a smart thing. Geologyguy had the guts to practice full-on emersion (crazy guy!). Well, it turns out that cold water has shrinking effects on other portions of the male body and poor Geologyguy's wedding ring slipped right off his cold finger as he dunked down into the lake. A little bewildered and somewhat alarmed Geologyguy told the water waders what had happened. Some trekkers took to physically helping and others took to mental support or jest, all seemed fitting at the initial loss.

As the day progressed and more TTers came into camp, Geologyguy continued to stand on a rock, just into the waters edge, waiting for a 'glimmer' of hope, and Phil'sSon and JVZ practiced their fishing techniques on ghost fish (no fish seemed to exist in this lake). TrailAngel and Hodgeman discussed a route to hike up to the Unnamed Lake above the newly renamed Wedding Ring lake, just over the ridge line to the North. After attempting to gather a group to hike up, TrailAngel was finally joined by Gonzo and together they began the accent. When they made it to the ridge overlooking Wedding Ring Lake, the trekkers below (now the size of mountain ants) belted out a whoop and holler that was answered by a wave from the ridge-top warriors.

Dinner commenced as the warriors descended and a miracle was birthed when Geologyguy actually saw the 'glimmer' of hope in the water below and he reached down and was reunited with his gold band. Gonzo and TrailAngel were warmly welcomed back into camp with smiles, questions, and hummus and crackers donated by Phil. Light grew dim, WindWalker waited for the alpine glow, and soon it was time to turn in for the night.

Continued.....
Trip Report - Part 2