It's odd to become accustomed to expecting the unexpected.
The Rough Fire has caused ongoing damage in the Sierras since July 31st. There has been multiple road and back country closures since the incident, including the Roads End trailhead in Kings Canyon NP. This became increasingly relevant to me because my last scheduled Poly Escape trip was planned for a backpacking trip hiking the trail known as, "Paradise Valley." Paradise Valley is accessed by the Roads End Trailhead. We changed plans. Then the plans changed again. Then once more. Until finally we decided on Pear Lake in Sequoia NP. There was a minor warning about smoke in the area, but we decided the trail would be a great beginner backpacking trip for participants signing up for an adventure to the Sierras. I have traveled to Pear lake many of times before, but this would be the first time without snow. In the winter time, the land is blanketed with snow. The lakes are frozen over. The air is a little more thin. This time, we knew to expect clear trails, amazing weather, and a six mi hike with 3,000 ft elevation gain. My personal excitement revolved around the opportunity to finally experience the "Watchtower" trail. During the winter months, the Watchtower trail is closed and visitors must take the "Hump" trail instead. Upon arrival to Sequioa NP we stopped at Foothill Visitor Center to self-register for our backpacking permit. We continued down the road until we reached our night's destination, a walk-in campground at Potwisha Campground. It was the rowdiest campground I have ever been to! The noise did not settle until 3 am. Upon awakening, I reached for the instant coffee and a packet of hot cocoa. It was a mountain mocha morning. In 45 minutes of mountain driving, we gained more than 5,000 ft in elevation. We reached our trailhead, Wolverton, distributed group gear amongst the ten of us, talked about LNT principles, hot spots and blisters, and hydration then hit the trail. It was a steady climb. We entertained one another with riddles and discussing the popular topic of the group: movies&music. The first three miles of the trail were in a dense giant tree forest. You have to lift your neck back, squint your eyes, and slow your step in order to see the tops of the trees in the towering Sequoia forest. Nearing mile 3, we reached the Watchtower. It was a dramatic change in scenery. We stood at edge of the cliff with panoramic views of the intricate layers of the granite mountain faces. We took an extended break to enjoy the Watchtower views. A series of unexpected events brought us all to this point. We had an ongoing joke over the weekend, "xyz..exceeded expectations." To go beyond what you expected is to experience the unexpected. Time and time again, my expectations are exceeded. Standing 1,800 ft high, there is no question why this granite face was given the name Watchtower . The striking overlook set the stage for the remainder of the trip.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AshleyEnjoys playing outside. Archives
January 2017
Categories |