Sometimes we backpack

I’ll start out with saying sorry that I have no idea how to enter images and then a description, so I’ll just post pics after my write up.

So I did something for the first time - went backpacking! It was a quick little 2 night trip to Twin Lakes in Sequoia National Park with two of my mtb buddies. It was such an incredible trip and experience. It’s so beautiful up there! Looking back I don’t even mind the 3am wake up call on Friday, so we can be on the road by 4am! Got to Sequoia National Park around 9am. Stopped checked out the Sherman Tree. Saw a bear digging at the base of a tree on the side of the road (took a really crappy pic). Drove up to Lodgepole Campground from there. Took us a little over 5 hours to hike to the Twin Lakes from Lodgepole Campground. Pretty much straight uphill for 6.7 miles with 35lbs of gear/water in my backpack. Day 2 plan was to go over Silliman Pass and hike down to Ranger Lake. About 8 miles round trip. Silliman Pass is at 10,200ft in elevation. Our camp at Twin Lakes was I think around 9,500ft. We made it over the pass and stopped 0.5 miles above Ranger Lake and just sat there in awe of the view and enjoyed a very long lunch break! 5:45am wake up call on Day 3. Slept a little better, but it was cold again as it dropped into the mid-30’s at night and I was not exactly prepared though - my sleeping bag is for about 45 degrees. LOL! Wore 3 pairs of socks, 3 shirts, a beanie, a wind breaker and socks on my hands to stay warm-ish! Haha! Still worth it though! Basically, went back the same way, just the other direction as Day 1. Mostly downhill. Made it in 3:10hrs. Can’t wait for the next one!

 

Wow, awesome pics and write up! Thanks for sharing!

 

@kingaucho

That's awesome.....great pics.

My knees and ankles were sore just reading the description.

 

Spectacular! I’m sure it was good for the soul.

 

So...isn't that just like bikepacking, but without the bike? And less fun because you aren't riding?

I usually like to do one backpacking weekend a year. 30F sounds incredible right about now as another heat wave approaches just in time for the weekend again.

 

Yup! Just like you said - like bikepacking, but without the bike!

 

Nice one, Lubo! TFPU the interesting shots.

9500’ is about as high as I like to bivy. Over 10k and my sleep suffers.

35 lbs, damn son, I hope you had a few beers in there.

 

Couldn't help but look at some of those pics and think 'that would be fun to ride that section'. Beautiful pics, not many other hikers huh?

 

Awesome!

 

Believe me we all were saying that! Some great, great sections and some that were like “no fn way!”. Haha!

 

Great pics; my only problem with hiking is when I start to descend, I think "if I only had my bike now". I was going to try and construct a light BMX-size bike to carry and use to coast down trails.