This past weekend we made yet another trek to and about Emigrant Wilderness in the Sierras. Joining us this time were a few of Sanny's co-workers: Ned, Mike, and Islam. So what changed since we were there 3 weeks ago? A lot actually -- some good, some bad.
Actually, the only bad that I can recall were the mosquittos which were quite ferocious in a number of spots. Otherwise we found: far less snow -- and of course -- snow melt, lakes and trails now passable that were not safe or passable before, and more campers (but never so many as to be a crowd). Cherry Creek, which we forded at the end of Saturday was up to my mid-chest (I'm 6'2) and had a swift ice-cold current that I managed only by walking upstream before entering it -- the force was strong enough that no matter how I tried it pushed me a step downstream for every lateral step I progressed; I can hardly imagine what it must have looked like 3 weeks ago when even the Piut Creek (which we crossed this time by way of a short log) was a raging river.
Highlights include: pan and stone cooked steak, 3 adventurous barefoot water-crossings -- numerous others by fallen tree, amazing views of the night sky, hiking and setting up camp in the dark of night, delicous mountain water for both drinking and swimming.
Day 1 (or maybe day 2 -- we hit the trail @ 11:30pm, Friday).
Day 2
