Hoover Twenty Lakes Basin :: 2022 Base Camp
A return for a deeper exploration of the 20 Lakes Basin in the Hoover Wilderness, after getting a taste in 2016 tackling Mt. Conness. The target was an ascent of North Peak and the cast of characters included George, Umair (welcome to the crew), John and myself. Time was short, as George and Umair arrived at 9am and we went straight to the trailhead at 10,000 feet and hiked in 3.5 miles to Steelhead Lake. It was only 500ft of elevation gain but we took our time given the rapid ascent from sea level.
A return for a deeper exploration of the 20 Lakes Basin in the Hoover Wilderness, after getting a taste in 2016 tackling Mt. Conness. The target was an ascent of North Peak and the cast of characters included George, Umair (welcome to the crew), John and myself. Time was short, as George and Umair arrived at 9am and we went straight to the trailhead at 10,000 feet and hiked in 3.5 miles to Steelhead Lake. It was only 500ft of elevation gain but we took our time given the rapid ascent from sea level.
Ansel Adams Base Camp 2011 :: 6 Days
Well, it turns out that 2011 is the 25th year of backpacking the great California Wildernesses with my buddy George. What started out just the two of us, ended up being a party of 5 with 3 short-stay add-ons. It was to be memorable, including some firsts for the two of us.
Well, it turns out that 2011 is the 25th year of backpacking the great California Wildernesses with my buddy George. What started out just the two of us, ended up being a party of 5 with 3 short-stay add-ons. It was to be memorable, including some firsts for the two of us.
High Sierra Peaks 2007 :: 7 Days & 39 Miles
On to the third decade! Our 21st year and we broke from the past and did a hybrid trip of backpacking, car camping and peak climbing. As this is a " George's choice" year, he wanted to add tagged peaks in the Sonora-Yosemite area, along with the high point of Nevada. Bonus- His Dad (Geo Sr) was able to join us, which was his 5th trip.
On to the third decade! Our 21st year and we broke from the past and did a hybrid trip of backpacking, car camping and peak climbing. As this is a " George's choice" year, he wanted to add tagged peaks in the Sonora-Yosemite area, along with the high point of Nevada. Bonus- His Dad (Geo Sr) was able to join us, which was his 5th trip.
Pacific Crest 2006 :: 10 Days & 60 Miles
The Pacific Crest has always drawn George and me, however, to do the entire trek takes a lot more time than we could conceivably piece together. So the next best choice, cut into digestible portions and tackle them as time allows. This is our longest trip to date and we had special guests from the old country, my cousins Rob and Tom. Planning was key, especially food for 10 days.
The Pacific Crest has always drawn George and me, however, to do the entire trek takes a lot more time than we could conceivably piece together. So the next best choice, cut into digestible portions and tackle them as time allows. This is our longest trip to date and we had special guests from the old country, my cousins Rob and Tom. Planning was key, especially food for 10 days.
Tri-Wilderness 2005 :: 8 days & 45 miles
This is our 19th year of back country adventures and what better way then to pay a visit to each of the Wilderness areas that we have traversed. Emigrant leads with 21 visits, Hoover and Yosemite with 4. These have been our playground for almost 2 decade
This is our 19th year of back country adventures and what better way then to pay a visit to each of the Wilderness areas that we have traversed. Emigrant leads with 21 visits, Hoover and Yosemite with 4. These have been our playground for almost 2 decade
Hoover Peaks 2004 :: 9 Days & 40 Miles
Another year and another trip. This is our 18th year of scouring the Sonora Pass wonderland and we planned to visit a new section with emphasis on peak climbing. George set up the itinerary and away we went. As we were to discover, this part of the country is a bit more rugged than what we have experienced so far. However, it made for an interesting trip but I am not sure if my feet will ever recover.
Another year and another trip. This is our 18th year of scouring the Sonora Pass wonderland and we planned to visit a new section with emphasis on peak climbing. George set up the itinerary and away we went. As we were to discover, this part of the country is a bit more rugged than what we have experienced so far. However, it made for an interesting trip but I am not sure if my feet will ever recover.
Hoover Lakes 2000 :: 9 days & 30.2 miles
The millennium had dawned, and we were posed to make our Tower Peak trip after last years near miss. But it appeared at first that the powers of luck were not going our way. To start it off, George's flight from Boston was delayed by 24 hours because of severe thunderstorms in the Midwest. He arrived and we whisked our way up to the Sonora Pass before stopping to sleep for the night. As we made our way to Leavitt Meadows and we ran through alternate plans, we became acutely aware that timing was not on our side.
The millennium had dawned, and we were posed to make our Tower Peak trip after last years near miss. But it appeared at first that the powers of luck were not going our way. To start it off, George's flight from Boston was delayed by 24 hours because of severe thunderstorms in the Midwest. He arrived and we whisked our way up to the Sonora Pass before stopping to sleep for the night. As we made our way to Leavitt Meadows and we ran through alternate plans, we became acutely aware that timing was not on our side.
Sierra Transact 1999 :: 10 Days & 35.6 miles
Tower Peak was our goal. The intent and desire was there. However, it was a matter of conditioning, or really lack of it. We hiked to the ridge above Helen Lake and took in the spectacular vistas and snapped some shots, but it was to not be in the cards for this trip. Our first few nights were spent at Helen Lake exploring the surrounding lakes and soaking in the crystal clear night sky. Helen, Bonnie, Stella, Harriet, Cora and Dorothy Lakes are nestled together in the border between the Southern tip of the Hoover Wilderness and the Northern tip of Yosemite Back Country Wilderness.
Tower Peak was our goal. The intent and desire was there. However, it was a matter of conditioning, or really lack of it. We hiked to the ridge above Helen Lake and took in the spectacular vistas and snapped some shots, but it was to not be in the cards for this trip. Our first few nights were spent at Helen Lake exploring the surrounding lakes and soaking in the crystal clear night sky. Helen, Bonnie, Stella, Harriet, Cora and Dorothy Lakes are nestled together in the border between the Southern tip of the Hoover Wilderness and the Northern tip of Yosemite Back Country Wilderness.
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