High Sierra Topix

East Side Hiker wrote:But really, when you think about the Sierra forests and the size of the trees, nothing compares.

as always, bigger is better, I suppose. Impressive, certainly, but not automatically the thing one will cherish the most. Most of my reasons for liking a particular mountain range go well beyond the numbers and superlatives. It has much more to do with experiences and a sense of returning to a place that has been good to me in the past.

I agree that Sierra forest variety is impressive, and as I take longer to acclimatize I have more time to enjoy them. That said, there are times when hauling a pack thru several warm miles of mosquitoed monoculture lodgepole forest, or up a long hillside of red fir does little to inspire, as opposed to perspire.

Fishmonger - you are absolutely right. I had mentioned the trees because in that 24 hour period, it was the one thing that hit me hardest - the trees. I love trees, but my favorite plants are lilies.