High Sierra Topix

Saturday, 12 April 2008 (day 1 of 2)
Pleasant Cyn - Porter Pk - Sentinel Pk - Porter Pk- Chuckwalla - Cross

PHOTOS: http://snownymph.smugmug.com/gallery/47 ... 5658_jjE2c

Tomcat, TomG and I drove up Pleasant Canyon Friday night and camped at the Porter Mine Saddle. After 4 hrs sleep (first time in altitude and I was dizzy most of the day), we headed up the Porter Mine Road and up to Porter Peak. The ridge to Sentinel was longer than it looked. The weather was cooler than expected. Views were great, but it was a long day. Since we were hiking in another area Sunday, I drove to the trailhead in the dark, another 2 hrs. Long but fun day!

Tomcat, Tom Gossett, Snow Nymph


Water drop for firefighters from the 1979 fire


Sentinel Pk from Porter Peak, a long 4 miles


One section had beautiful green rock


Looking back at Porter and where we started


Last push to the summit 900' in less than 1/2 mile


Made it to Sentinel Peak!


and back to Porter Peak


Start in the dark, out in the dark, one full day!

I can't believe what you did on Sunday after this trip on Sat!!!! With little sleep between.

Ridgeline, I'm STILL tired! Leaving again tomorrow after work.


Sunday, 13 April 2008 (day 2 of 2)
Chuckwalla Mtn and Cross Mtn

PHOTOS: http://snownymph.smugmug.com/gallery/47 ... 1175_c66h4

These peaks are in the Southern Sierra but was hotter than the desert peaks we've done lately. The attraction for driving so far to hike was the flowers I saw from tomcat's trip last week. I knew they wouldn't be around too much longer, and since he had to abort, he said he'd do it again. It was the hottest day of the year so far, and we all ran out of water. I think we were so beat from Saturdays hike we didn't have time to pack and make sure we were prepared. I know I brought too many clothes (cold the day before), and didn't re-pack much food or water. But it was an awesome trip with great people, and 2 new peaks for me. Nice to see Ridgeline again, and finally meet Nathan, and watch KathyM with her pink cast (comes off this week) hike the 10 miles with a smile!

tomcat wanted this guy


last hike with the pink cast!


need ID?


some climbing


summit of Cross Mtn


she's still going


this is what I wanted to see




its amazing how good a little trickle of water can feel!


end of a great day in the mountains