Hiking & Backpacking

Did my first backpacking trip a few weeks ago - three nights in the Dinkey Lakes southwest of Fresno in the sierras.

I’ve camped before and I’ve hiked before, but never both. First time pooping in the woods and everything g. It was about 12 miles I think? Starting elevation was around 8500’ and it went up past 10K at one point so any elevation gain had me gassed. Went swimming in one of the lakes which was probably in the low 50s (there was still snow around). Good times all around but I’m on the fence if I’ll do it again. Also the mosquitos were horrible. One guy had over 100 bites by the end.

Some pics…IMG_4225.webp
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matedog said:
Did my first backpacking trip a few weeks ago - three nights in the Dinkey Lakes southwest of Fresno in the sierras.

I’ve camped before and I’ve hiked before, but never both. First time pooping in the woods and everything g. It was about 12 miles I think? Starting elevation was around 8500’ and it went up past 10K at one point so any elevation gain had me gassed. Went swimming in one of the lakes which was probably in the low 50s (there was still snow around). Good times all around but I’m on the fence if I’ll do it again. Also the mosquitos were horrible. One guy had over 100 bites by the end.

Some pics…IMG_4225.webp
IMG_4227.webp
Click to expand...
I’m doing my first backpacking trip in September. My buddy I mountain bike with got passes this year and two of his usual people dropped out. So I agreed to take a spot. I am excited and nervous at the same time.

Four Pass Loop
 
R1pps said:
I’m doing my first backpacking trip in September. My buddy I mountain bike with got passes this year and two of his usual people dropped out. So I agreed to take a spot. I am excited and nervous at the same time.

Four Pass Loop
Click to expand...

Great trail. Did it in September 2012 and had picture perfect weather the whole time. Don't recall a permit system but everything seems to have gone that direction recently.

All of my photos were on an old phone that is lost, but I still have this one from the same spot as the Strava link.

One of my favorite bear experiences ever on that trip just coming up on one within a couple hundred feet in a wide open area like this. I watched it do its thing for 30 minutes and it didn't give a shit that I was there.

Good luck, enjoy.

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I've been focusing so much on mountaineering over the past couple years that I haven't done a backpacking trip in a while. This weekend fixed that. I headed up to the Goat Rocks Wilderness near Rainier and put in 20 miles of agenda-free splendor over a few days. We did the Goat Lake/Snowgrass Flats loop with an excursion up to Old Snowy on Day 2 for some extra elevation and a view of Rainier. It was fantastic, and a great reminder that not everything has to be Type 2 fun when I'm outside. Only disappointment was seeing zero goats, despite the name.

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R1pps said:
Fish Creek trail in Steamboat Springs. Beautiful hike, just a ton of people on the trail.

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Going to Steamboat in a couple of weeks for a training. I have not done Fish Creek in my prior two visits, but maybe we will this time. Thinking of doing Zirkel Circle. Have you put boot on that one?
 
Kentucky said:
Going to Steamboat in a couple of weeks for a training. I have not done Fish Creek in my prior two visits, but maybe we will this time. Thinking of doing Zirkel Circle. Have you put boot on that one?
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I have not. First time in Steamboat this weekend. Ziegler Circle looks awesome, but I don’t think my wife and kid would be able to do the entire 10mile hike.

Really thinking about buying property up there. It’s on my short list of places to move to.
 
After walking around the Storm King Art Center yesterday in New York (which was more spread out than I realized...some opted for the golf cart tour)

I talked Storm King Mountain. I wasn't certain if I would have the energy to reach the summit. I did make it without turning back early. Nice views of The Hudson River, Catskill Mountains, Berkshire Mountains, etc

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