NOV 14 2012 

BY JULIA 

Have you ever stood somewhere and wondered “how did I get here?” I mean literally, not metaphysically or spiritually. I do on a much too regular basis: find myself saying, “Geez. How did you get yourself here?” Well, this just happened again on the Lakes Trail in Sequoia National Park. Let me first describe the trail…

Picture standing on a trail no more than two feet wide that was created by blasting a granite face, then consider the wall on one side is fairly smooth with nothing to hold on to, and the other side leads to a 2000 foot drop into a desolate rocky valley below. Add an unexpected layer of snow which has spent several days melting and compacting, and melting a little more and compacting a little more… forming a wonderfully slippery surface. Now include further factors such as no ropes, walking stick or cramp-ons, and there you will find yourself in the situation in which I stood only a week ago, saying “Geez…”

Lakes Trail Passed Watch Tower by Julia at XplorMor

And, did I mention that I decided to do this by myself? Yep, I had the brilliant idea of hiking the 12+ mile Lakes Trail by myself in the chilly, early morn. This wasn’t one of my smartest moves. Yet, if the Visitor Center staff had informed me with better knowledge and understanding of the trail, including the 2500 foot vertical climb within the first 3 miles, and that I would reach snow, perhaps I could have prepared myself or found a buddy to go with rather than do it alone and ill-equipped. Of course, I lived to tell about it so no harm, no foul… but is that really the point?

Snowy Pass on the Sierras by Julia at XplorMor

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not complaining about such a lucky opportunity to venture into pristine wilderness with granite mountains extending far into the sky, tall pines, crystal clear lakes, and of course snow (which for a SoCal resident, is always novelty); rather I’m sorry that due to the circumstances, and needing my wits and energies focused on the task at hand… stepping forward, one foot at a time rather slowly… I missed out on some wonderful photo ops. I decided at one point when I slipped, and nearly fell, that it was to my benefit to put the camera away as to not fall again and perhaps further.

Now I am home, and survived, I am a tad remorseful at not having stopped to take a picture or two. But then again, perhaps I may not have lived to post them. Instead, I lived to tell the story and offer photos from other points along the trip.

Beautiful Heather Lake by Julia at XplorMor

I would definitely recommend the Lakes Trail to anyone who enjoys hiking long stretches. It has it all – the views, water, mountains, forest… need I say more? I would however go with a buddy, and camp overnight at Pear Lake to break up the journey.

One point I also need to mention… on the way back there were big cat tracks on top of my shoe prints. Makes me wonder…

Further information and planning your trek visit Sequoia Lakes Trail, and watch the XplorMor Expedition slide show.