After cleaning up and re-gearing, I picked up Dinosaur from LAX and we were off to the mountains! We made really great time, I was super stoked to miss out on the infamous LA traffic this time of day on a Friday. We chose to go through the Big Stump entrance to the park, so we could explore Grants Grove before heading into the backcountry. The weather was perfect as we climbed in elevation, getting closer to the park. One of those blue sky days that feels like it could go on forever. After scouting out a front country site, we quickly set up camp and headed down the trail to the third largest tree in the world. That's right, the world. All the trees in Kings Canyon/Sequoia were crazy beautiful. You just wanted to hug all of them. We played in tunnels that were really hollowed out old trees that had fallen, read lots of interpretive signs, and just enjoyed staring up at these old giants. General Grant was 1700 years old, which isn't even the oldest tree in the world. They all made me feel really small.
The next morning, we took our time driving through the park. We had to make the obligatory stop at a visitor center to watch a movie about the park and learn about the history. I was happy to have a companion that also didn't mind learning about things! Then went to see the BIGGEST tree in the world (by volume) - General Sherman. Compared with General Grant and the trees that surrounded it, the trees around General Sherman seemed smaller. It was definitely more noticeable that this tree really was the biggest thing around. Supposedly, it's so big that it would take 21 people holding hands around the tree to cover the circumference. Now, that's big! This portion of tree that Dino is hugging gives you an idea about how big it is.
We next hit the Foothills Visitor Center to get our permit (safety and park regulations first!) and to find a little more about trail conditions and weather. Thunderstorms and rain were headed our way, but blue skies were still abundant. We ate a nice lunch, while learning about the native people of the area, loaded our packs (complete with bear canister) and hit the trail. We thought heading out on the trail would thin out some of the crowds, but we saw a ton of people on the Middle Fork Trail we were on. There are only so many trails that are not covered with snow here, so I should have known better. We followed the middle fork of the Kaweah River up towards the High Sierra. Our initial destination was Redwood Meadow - supposedly one of the most remote groves of old trees in the park. Everyone we talked to on the trail that got there said it was super neat. But after a late start, and enjoying the beauty of the trail, we decided to call it quits at Mehrten Creek. Good thing we did, because it starting raining on us as soon as we took our packs off.
After a fairly rainy night, and an even rainier morning, our stuff was a bit damp. I had chosen to go with my ultralight shelter, which is not quite decided for two people in the rain. Needless to say, there were a few wet sleeping bags and pads. More rain was on the forecast, and we were on vacation, so we decided to not be hardcore and instead hike back out. We would have had to do a big mile day to get to Redwood Meadow, and we just didn't want to be in a hurry. Of course, as soon as we got on the trail, the weather cleared. We thought about going back up, but decided finding the hot spring I had heard so much about would be a better option. The weather was great on the way out and we stopped quite a bit to take photos and enjoy the view. One spot at Panther Creek was particularly pretty, and we took a long break there. Some folks came down the trail that had made it to the meadow and showed us some pictures. We got to see it after all!
After eating lunch, we began the long drive to the Remington hot springs. They were near the town of Lake Isabella, which isn't too far from Walker Pass and the PCT. Dino remembered visiting Lake Isabella on her PCT thru-hike and kept going on an on about some milkshakes at a diner with an older lady's name. So, we of course had to check it out. Being that we were itchy to get out of the car, we hit the hot springs first. We couldn't find the hot springs right off the bat, but did find two very hippy-looking buses that would definitely know where the hot springs were. Sure enough, they pointed us in the right direction. I wish I could have stayed and chatted with those folks. They looked like they had some stories to tell! The hot springs were amazing!!! We didn't have them to ourselves, as it is a popular area not too far from a road. But these hot spring were definitely well taken care of. Someone had poured concrete in the pools and had constructed several bathing tubs that were nicely decorated with pretty rocks, stones, and writing. Each of the different tubs were a different temperature, but all toasty warm. They felt great after a few days of hiking and even better that it was kind of chilly and misting. We made some new friends and soaked in the springs until the rain started coming down a bit harder. Everyone grabbed their stuff and headed back up to the vehicles.
I had planned on camping at one of the established campgrounds in the area, but decided camping in Buddy the truck just off the road would be just as great. That's what forest service land is for, right? Later that night, there was a car that parked near us for about an hour. Sensing they were not moving, Dino was brave enough to ask if they were lost or needed help. Turns out it was a nice older hippy that looks after the springs from time to time and was camping out as well. Looks like we have a neighbor for the night. Woke up, made some coffee and tea, and decided to eat breakfast in town, complete with famous milkshake. Turns out it was Nelda's diner, and it was delicious. I don't think many people order a milkshake with their breakfast, but I was a satisfied customer.
I had to be back to work the next day, and Dino had a plane to catch, so we headed back toward Malibu. I showed Dino around where I lived/worked, and then took her to some of my favorite beaches. The weather, and the sea life, definitely cooperated. We saw dolphins, sea stars, California mussels, anemones, crabs, amongst other sea creatures. Not to mention a nice sunset. All in all, a great trip, and the perfect end to the first spring break I have had in years.
After cleaning up and re-gearing, I picked up Dinosaur from LAX and we were off to the mountains! We made really great time, I was super stoked to miss out on the infamous LA traffic this time of day on a Friday. We chose to go through the Big Stump entrance to the park, so we could explore Grants Grove before heading into the backcountry. The weather was perfect as we climbed in elevation, getting closer to the park. One of those blue sky days that feels like it could go on forever. After scouting out a front country site, we quickly set up camp and headed down the trail to the third largest tree in the world. That's right, the world. All the trees in Kings Canyon/Sequoia were crazy beautiful. You just wanted to hug all of them. We played in tunnels that were really hollowed out old trees that had fallen, read lots of interpretive signs, and just enjoyed staring up at these old giants. General Grant was 1700 years old, which isn't even the oldest tree in the world. They all made me feel really small. 
The next morning, we took our time driving through the park. We had to make the obligatory stop at a visitor center to watch a movie about the park and learn about the history. I was happy to have a companion that also didn't mind learning about things! Then went to see the BIGGEST tree in the world (by volume) - General Sherman. Compared with General Grant and the trees that surrounded it, the trees around General Sherman seemed smaller. It was definitely more noticeable that this tree really was the biggest thing around. Supposedly, it's so big that it would take 21 people holding hands around the tree to cover the circumference. Now, that's big! This portion of tree that Dino is hugging gives you an idea about how big it is. 
We next hit the Foothills Visitor Center to get our permit (safety and park regulations first!) and to find a little more about trail conditions and weather. Thunderstorms and rain were headed our way, but blue skies were still abundant. We ate a nice lunch, while learning about the native people of the area, loaded our packs (complete with bear canister) and hit the trail. We thought heading out on the trail would thin out some of the crowds, but we saw a ton of people on the Middle Fork Trail we were on. There are only so many trails that are not covered with snow here, so I should have known better. We followed the middle fork of the Kaweah River up towards the High Sierra. Our initial destination was Redwood Meadow - supposedly one of the most remote groves of old trees in the park. Everyone we talked to on the trail that got there said it was super neat. But after a late start, and enjoying the beauty of the trail, we decided to call it quits at Mehrten Creek. Good thing we did, because it starting raining on us as soon as we took our packs off.
After eating lunch, we began the long drive to the Remington hot springs. They were near the town of Lake Isabella, which isn't too far from Walker Pass and the PCT. Dino remembered visiting Lake Isabella on her PCT thru-hike and kept going on an on about some milkshakes at a diner with an older lady's name. So, we of course had to check it out. Being that we were itchy to get out of the car, we hit the hot springs first. We couldn't find the hot springs right off the bat, but did find two very hippy-looking buses that would definitely know where the hot springs were. Sure enough, they pointed us in the right direction. I wish I could have stayed and chatted with those folks. They looked like they had some stories to tell! The hot springs were amazing!!! We didn't have them to ourselves, as it is a popular area not too far from a road. But these hot spring were definitely well taken care of. Someone had poured concrete in the pools and had constructed several bathing tubs that were nicely decorated with pretty rocks, stones, and writing. Each of the different tubs were a different temperature, but all toasty warm. They felt great after a few days of hiking and even better that it was kind of chilly and misting. We made some new friends and soaked in the springs until the rain started coming down a bit harder. Everyone grabbed their stuff and headed back up to the vehicles.
I had planned on camping at one of the established campgrounds in the area, but decided camping in Buddy the truck just off the road would be just as great. That's what forest service land is for, right? Later that night, there was a car that parked near us for about an hour. Sensing they were not moving, Dino was brave enough to ask if they were lost or needed help. Turns out it was a nice older hippy that looks after the springs from time to time and was camping out as well. Looks like we have a neighbor for the night. Woke up, made some coffee and tea, and decided to eat breakfast in town, complete with famous milkshake. Turns out it was Nelda's diner, and it was delicious. I don't think many people order a milkshake with their breakfast, but I was a satisfied customer.
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