Growing up, our parents always took my brother, sister and myself on a 2 week summer camping trip. Although I was pretty young, I still have super memories of those times together. When we were deciding how to spend our summer vacation this year, we decided to return to the rugged Sierra Mts for another backpacking/camping adventure to familiar and new places.
I admire all the backpackers who can make the wilderness their home for weeks/months. Those trips take LOTS of training and planning. Ours was much shorter and simpler.
This year, the idea of carrying a bear cannister in our backpacks to prevent an unwelcome night visit from a Black Bear wasn't a foreign idea.
One of the biggest challenges backpacking is carrying water since it is quite heavy. Fortunately, there is still water to filter in some of the mountain creeks.
Our first furry welcome when we arrived at our campsite after hiking 4 1/2 miles was the Yellow-bellied Marmot. They perch high on their boulders overlooking the meadows and lakes greeting one another early in the morning and as the sun goes down.
Another familiar furry animal was the adorable Golden-mantled Squirrel. He didn't try to get into our food but his cousin the Lodgepole Chipmunk was relentless in his efforts to get into our backpacks for some yummy morsels.
During one of our hikes, we met two Australians who came to these mountains in pursuit of the colorful Golden Trout. With faces filled with huge smiles, these guys returned the beautiful fish back to the creek alive after some photos to prove they found this amazing creature.
While volunteering in the Fire Lookout tower on Tahquitz Peak, we encounter lots of people in training for big hikes elsewhere in the county. Some are "peak baggers". Standards are high for what counts in the "bagging of a peak". After seeing one magnificent lake after another, we're thinking of starting to "bag mountain lakes"...a much easier pursuit and quite beautiful!
The birds were more elusive. The Cassin's Finch appeared outside our tent one morning. Although it lives in the mountains near Idyllwild as well, it was a welcome sight since we don't see it very often.
The White-crowned Sparrow knows how to migrate! It spends the winter near our home and in the desert and the summers up in the mountains filled with lakes.
Although the temperatures were perfect for hiking during the day, the early morning hours and evening hours were quite chilly. I slept with 3 layers and a wool hat in my down sleeping bag. It's summer....With that in mind, I didn't relish getting up early from my warm cocoon.
One morning, I woke up earlier than I wanted but what a glorious sight when I emerged from my tent! The alpenglow of the mountains was reflecting on the crystal clear lake; mist rose from the water and the sound of American Coot chicks quietly peeping for food could be heard only to those awake at this hour.
Immersing oneself into Nature for a time is nurturing to the soul.
