First Work Excursion of the Season

I had my first major work hike of the season this past week.  I'd had little day hikes to two of the sequoia groves, but nothing quite like this.

This was my first solo backpacking trip and I was very excited and a little nervous.  We monitor trail use in wilderness locations along the Merced River and it was my responsibility to get the trail counters up.  The farthest counter was about 16 miles from where I got dropped off.  

I was supposed to put up three counters but when my supervisor hefted my pack, she said no way.  It was too heavy and had me drop down to the absolute bare minimum of what I needed to take with me.  If I hadn't had to haul a bear canister... (that thing weighs almost 5 lbs empty!!)  I ended up with two counters and my pack was still brutally heavy.  I may have a few bruises.

Regardless, I set out early in the morning of the first day.  I've said it before and I'm going to say it again, the amount of water flowing through the park is spectacular!  Here is Nevada Fall.  Gushing!  Raging! Love it!

 Another view of Nevada

 I hiked about 11 miles the first day to a place called Echo Valley.  I hiked through an area that burned almost two years ago.  It's amazing to see how plants are already starting to come back.  Nature is amazing.  There are also tons of little waterfalls everywhere.  I especially like the one below.

 The mighty Merced!

 The second day I hiked up to Merced Lake, elevation 7250. 

Beautiful Merced Lake.

 Another picture of the mighty Merced.  There wasn't really a river channel here and it looked like if there was any more water it would simply flow onto the trail.  One things these pictures can't show is how LOUD all that raging water is.

 For my second night and breakfast my third day, I had a granite counter top!  Ha ha!

 The beautiful Sierra found inside Yosemite National Park.

By the end, I had hiked about 35 miles in three days.  It was wonderful.  I am thankful for a warm sleeping bag; I'm thankful for waterproof boots; I am thankful for the simply pleasures of fresh, clean socks to put into those boots; and I'm thankful for a SteriPen, my new favorite piece of gear!

Fellow adventures always welcome!