Sierra Smorgasbord, June 2025

Brian had sent out an email with an invite to a week in the Sierra to get the 2025 season started. The itinerary had something for everyone, from car camping in National Park and Forest with short hikes to climbing Alta Peak to 3 nights of backpacking in Yosemite.

Srisuda and I signed up with the caveat that I might not be able to do any of the hiking since I was struggling with a severe case of Achilles tendinopathy. I could not walk normally from Christmas 2024 until the end of April when physical therapy finally showed results. I got some strength and conditioning back just in time for the trip and we joined the group taking things one day at a time.

Day 1
5 of us met in Sequoia National Park at the Lodgepole campground for 3 nights. We enjoyed a nice campfire, good food, and good conversation after our respective drives out.

Day 2
Srisuda made a big pancake breakfast and that got us fueled for a hike from camp to Tokopah Falls (4.8 miles, 656 ft gain). Afterwards, we had some snacks and napped. In the late afternoon, we drove to the General Sherman Tree grove and walked the Congress Loop trail (~2.5 miles). Those giant trees are impressive no matter how often one visits them. For dinner, Dave prepared steak over the campfire.

(click on any image to enlarge / start slideshow)

Day 3
Last year I hiked Alta Peak on our way up to Yosemite and raved about the spectacular views. So Brian wanted to check it out for himself. After Srisuda’s classic potato, eggs, and kielbasa breakfast we drove to the Alta Peak trailhead on Wolverton Rd. to start our hike.

We immediately lost sight of Dave as he effortlessly moved up the trail. He did wait for us at Panther Gap where we took a snack break with great views. Next, we met Dave on the peak where he had patiently waited for us for a very long time. The large early season snow field just below the peak was smaller than last year at the same time. We hung out on the peak taking in the panorama, identifying peaks, and protecting our food from the resident marmot.

After this long, hard hike (13 miles, 3,960 ft gain) we were glad that there were showers available at the Lodgepole campground market and that there was no line. It’s amazing how happy a $1 / 3 min shower can make a person after a long day on the trail. Dinner was Srisuda’s fried rice which we consumed around the campfire.

Day 4
After breakfast and packing up we said goodbye to Joe who went home and the rest of us made our way to Dimond O campground in Stanislaus National Forest just outside Yosemite. Along the way we stopped in Fresno for some snacks and gas. Srisuda and I went to get the backpacking permit which had to be picked up in person rather than printing it online like it’s the case in other parks and forests. This turned out to be a new experience for me. The ranger handling the permit made the process more like an exam, almost an interrogation. Good thing this was not my first rodeo. After passing I was ready for happy hour.

At camp we met 3 additional members of our backpacking group for the next 4 days. We enjoyed Srisuda’s Goulash with Spätzle, magaritas (Thanks Christine!), and sorted our individual and group gear. Of course, we had a campfire going also. Dave encountered an equipment malfunction on his brand new pack. Luckily Srisuda had suitable needles and thread so Dave and Brian could make a repair that held for the whole trip.

Day 5 (Hike: 10.44 km, 6.49 mi)
We drove to the trailhead in Tuolumne Meadows, dropping 2 vehicles at the road that turns to White Wolf campground. Leaving the camp Srisuda spotted a young bear running up a hill nearby. We hit the trail around 10 am.

We followed the same route and used the same campsites as last year. Water conditions seemed to be very similar. The temperature was slightly lower, i.e. more comfortable than last year. At camp, we enjoyed cooling off in the river.

Day 6 (Hike: 11.56 km, 7.19 mi)
As it’s tradition, we had coffee on the rocks above camp waiting for the first rays of sun and enjoying their warmth. After breakfast, we started hiking excited to get to the most spectacular waterfalls on the hike. First, we had to negotiate a very swampy section of trail that was drier last year. It was mosquito hell.

At camp, we again cooled off in the river and then warmed up in the sun. A little California King Snake (?) made an appearance.

Day 7 (Hike: 17.09 km, 10.62 mi)
The longest day. It started with a climb for the bypass of the Muir Gorge, followed by a descent to the Register Creek crossing. Then things calmed down for a while just walking along the river before we reached the footbridge over the river. Here we had a lunch break and some of us opted to cool down in the river in anticipation of the steep climb up to the last camp.

Day 8 (Hike: 12.04 km, 7.48 mi)
Hike out to the vehicles at White Wolf. On a steep and long climb like we had before us, everyone hikes their own speed waiting at pre-arranged points (junctions, crossings, etc.). Jacqueline, Dave, and I got to the cars first and went to Tuolumne Meadows to get the other cars. This took 1.5 h.

Srisuda and I said goodbye to the group since we were headed east to take Hwy 395 back home. The others headed west and stopped for lunch at a cafe/restaurant. We tailgated at Olmsted Point before driving south and then up Rock Creek Rd. to spend a night at Pine Cove campground.

Day 9
The long drive home with the dreaded I-15 traffic on Cajon Pass and through the LA basin. We stopped in Bishop for breakfast and a walk through the Gear Exchange.

Another great Sierra outing creating great memories with good friends!

Hike elevation profiles