Backpacking in bear country is a new adventure for us. It all started with camping at Horseshoe Meadow for a night before loading everything we would need into our backpacks. Horseshoe Meadow is a common entry point for those who plan on hiking up Mt Whitney, the tallest mountain in the continental U.S. Our destination was a lot less strenuous!
The next morning our hike began. Despite the drought across California, thankfully, there are still creeks to cross and waterfalls to savor in the Sierra mountains.
Along a riparian part of the trail, we stopped to listen to the flute like song of the Swainson's Thrush.
It may not be colorful but it is a captivating singer!
After 4 1/2 miles of hiking through the John Muir Wilderness, we reached our destination - Cottonwood Lakes Basin. The spectacular views were ever changing depending on the time of day and whether a storm was approaching.
This pristine mountain creek was the spot where we went everyday to refill our water bottles. Water needs to be boiled or filtrated before you can drink it. Depending on a filtration system was another new experience for us. Fortunately, it worked well. No problems!
Our tent site, high on a hill away from the lake, was surrounded with families of Yellow-bellied Marmots. From their boulder perches, they woke us early in the morning with their loud chirps and they were the last sound we heard as the sun set behind the mountains.
Day hikes are great but when you can spend the night in the wilderness, your chances of seeing wildlife greatly increase. This herd of Mule deer silently appeared across the lake one evening before the sun completely disappeared behind the mountains.
The Golden-mantled squirrel which looks like a chipmunk, made a brief appearance before vanishing behind the boulder.
We discovered that the Clark's Nutcracker not only devours seeds from the Whitebark Pine Tree but he will steal a peanut butter sandwich from an unobservant hiker when given a chance.
Our final morning, the blue skies were replaced with dark storm clouds. Thunder, lightning and sleet followed. Although it was nerve wracking being on a mountain top with a powerful storm overhead, it was great to see the rain. The clouds lingered over the mountains including Mt Whitney as we drove to our next camping destination.
