Being back out alone on the trail this past weekend up around Lake Tahoe had me thinking to this past fall when I solo backpacked for 5 days in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park. It was much easier then, it seemed right to be out in the wild lands with only myself to keep the company. Here are some excerpts from my journal.
Wednesday October 27th 2010
After two days of thick fog hindering my view, I am finally laying my eyes upon the beautifully glaciated peaks of the Sierras. So ridged at the peaks and so smooth throughout, carved by years of glacial action, deep bowls, long arroyos as if created by man for his own recreation but this glory is unmatched by the hand of man. the trees scattered throughout give way to the path of ice and water, although no glaciers are present you can see their work. Light snow is dusted on the highest peaks, giving this range more depth
After hiking just 2 miles i set up camp in the Lone Pine Creek drainage. The site is near the river with good access thanks to the CCC and the remains of their bridge. Up river is a large cascading waterfall and looking downriver reveals glaciated peaks and rounded buttes reminiscent of El Capitan and Half Dome of Yosemite. After setting camp I walked up for the sunlight to read in. the sun faded and the colors danced upon the rounded summits.
Thursday October 28th 2010
After five miles of switchbacks and an early start from my base camp I have reached Precipice Lake at about mid-day. the water is crystal clear to an unknown depth and thre is a gradient of color starting at the edge with orange-red that cools into a deep aqua blue. the noontime sunlight only reaches half of the lake (thankfully my side) leaving the sheer cliff that plummets straight into the water covered in ice and snow. Above the cliff are patches of snow at the base of Eagle Scout Peak that seem as though they may never have felt the strength of direct sunlight.
As I sit here gazing at the wall in front of me I am wondering where it was that Ansel Adams stood as he expose his photograph of this lake.
I toss a stone. It makes a sound just like I had expected it to, that of a typical pebble piercing the surface of a lake. After laying down by the water I am convinced that I hear approaching voices and the snapping of their poles. I then agree with myself that it is simply the many voices of the babbling water as it flows down to the other lakes. 3 days and still no others.
These entries capture my initial encounter with the sierras in all their beauty. I am glad to still have access to their enchantment.
