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Copyright © 1993 by Manfred P.. All rights reserved.

May 29, 1993

Through Snowfields in the High Sierras

Sequoia National Park

by

Manfred P.

Keywords: U.S.A., USA, California, Sequoia National Park, tourist, travel trip report, travel log, travelogue.

Monday was one of these rare US holidays: Memorial Day. Together with Don I used the time to go hiking in the Sequoia Nat'l Park. The main trail we followed was the High Sierra Trail, but we digressed somewhat north, passing the Heather Meadow and returned to the "base camp" via the Black Panther Trail. The morning we spent following the valley in nice warming sunshine. It seemed every half mile we had to cross a creek and water falls were everywhere. At noon-time we climbed one of the mountain ranges from the south. The conditions were perfect and we made a lot of miles. Soon we reached the ridge at 9000 ft. The afternoon, which we spent on the north slope of the range, was all different from the morning. The trail disappeared under a thick cover of snow. The snow field we had to put behind us was 3 to 4 miles long. Only 2 or 3 people had passed that trail before us as we could determine from the tracks in the snow. On two occasions, the tracks disappeared and it took us half an hour to figure out in which direction we had to continue hiking. It was like solving a jigsaw puzzle, you have a few clues (tracks, etc.) and you have to put the pieces together to find the way.

In the lower elevations we were surrounded again by a feast for our senses. Great views of the sierras, sweet smell of the forest, soft forest floor that feels like a perfect carpet to walk on, bird noises, and no people. After a 18 mile round-trip we ended up in the Gaint Sequioa groves. Even there tourism was not that bad.

The next day we took it easy, since both our knees hurt from the previous days. We hiked through the groves, relaxed at the Cresent Meadow, did some daydreaming, hoped to see a bear (one was spotted there the day before), took a one-hour tour with the park ranger, ... In the afternoon we had scheduled a hike in the northern parts on the nat'l park, but the rain surprised us and cancelled that plan.

A pretty nice way to spend a long weekend. Boy, did I sleep well Monday nite. By the way, "volunteers" to join me climb Halfdome in Yosemite later this summer are sought.

    

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