Public Enemy Number One...

for years I have been harboring a conspiracy theory about our National Park Service. 

Here it is: The unofficial credo is, they don't want visitors coming to our nation's best landscapes. Guests cause problems. We make a mess, trample delicate areas, feed wildlife, make noise and ask a lot of silly questions about trails and bathroom locations. We are a hassle to them.

So...some NPS employees attempt to scare us "Joe Average Visitor" with "Lions! And Tigers! And Bears! Oh My!" Warnings ad nauseam. 

These are the employees who have gone to the "Barney Fife College of Law Enforcement"  In other words, they get carried away with their power and forget whom the tax payers are. (I never saw a bear with a W-2 in his hairy paws). 

Lisa and I were both issued Warnings about our bear-boned mistakes. Her's was the heinous crime of leaving an empty coffee cup in her vehicle. Gasp! Mine was far worse. I had a tube of sunscreen stowed in one of Barley's windowsills. Pure sociopath stuff bordering on being a mass murderer. 

My warning was issued at 10 pm. That was one helluva bored cop to be looking into Barley with a flashlight at that hour. If a civilian displayed suspicious behavior like that, someone would call the cops! 

Now, I'm not saying all NPS employees bought into this idea. I've met many helpful, informative and genuinely good people in uniform. A sincere thank you to those out there. Please continue your positive service to the community. This rant didn't apply to you. 

BTW. I still love National Parks.

Well, that's a wrap on Yosemite. Tomorrow begins a 5 night, 6 day backpack into Kings Canyon National Park. Shhh! Don't rat on me about this blog! 

Live long and prosper,

Jeff

Mount Dana...

weighing in as the second highest in Yosemite NP at 13,053 feet is one wonderful summit. The peak performs a "Hang Five" maneuver (surfboard expression), balancing between the Great Basin and the Sierra Nevada. It's like the quiet dude in the bar who's looking in from the edge of the action. Similar to this blogger's beer room manner.

When I was atop Clouds Rest, a grumpy old man (not me, this time) lambasted this beauty. "It's too far away from the real mountains. Why would anyone bother with it?"

You viewers can look at my photos and decide. I think it's worth the sweat effort to get there. 

BTW. That is the same Mono Lake that I donated some coin to keep saving.

Enjoy!

Eagle Peak...

Just 2.6 miles past Yosemite Falls. The water that gives birth to the falls comes from snowmelt. This time of the year and with the drought, Yosemite Wall is more appropriate. You can see a sheen where the cascade has been on the rock though.

Eagle Peak at 7,730 feet is worth the extra bonus miles and altitude. I did see an eagle or hawk swoon by near enough to hand me a High-Five with his outstretched wing. A close encounter of the bird kind.

It was a warmish day and I earned my IPAs and water that evening. 

Remember! Hydrate or Die!

Californians...

Even though one out of every ten Americans resides in the "Golden State," they are a unique mob. 

And I have photos to prove it!

Photo One: Hiker Dude in American flag tights. This guy raced by me as if I were a granite boulder. It must be the tights. Anyone know where I can buy a pair?

I'll try most things to turn back the effects of Daddy Time.

Photo Two: Meet Matt, an ultralight hiker/trail runner training for a 100 mile race. I met him at noon and he had twenty miles under his shoes already. He had another thirty more to go. Next to him was all his luggage. This was his third day "out there."  My pack could eat his pack. I offered him food, but no thanks. He was existing on Cliff Bars and a yellow protein drink powder. Yummy! The funny thing was all the techno gadgets he carried: I Phone, GPS, emergency beacon and a solar charger to keep them all fed.

Nice guy. I hope he wins his race. He drinks IPAs too. 

Photo Three: Yep! The Hippy Vans can still acquire license plates in California. Lisa and I saw the van owners later on in a campground. They were an older, very serene, zen looking couple. Apparently they have never been jaded (like me)  by modern society! Good on them!

Photo Four: Barley's newest bumper sticker. I think I'll go and get a flower for my hair.

Peace! 

Jeff

Camino de Panorama Trail...

with fellow Santiago pilgrim (class of 2013) Lisa Premo, the Jewish woman with the Italian name.

While we ventured down across the cliff sides, we sought eight more Jews to make a minyan. (That's the required number of Hebrews needed to perform a Temple service). There were lots of Europeans, Asians and a spattering of Yanks, but no fellow "Chosen Ones." 

For me, it was a lot more spiritual and meaningful than a Rabbi's Friday Night service. There was no guilt either!

Tuolumne Meadows to Yosemite Valley...

Backpack trip.

I was nearly orgasmic when I scored a last gasp permit for this 30 mile in 3 days (mostly downhill) stroll.

The amble turned out to be better than I thought it would be. I found peaceful and lonesome campsites during a California BUSY Labor Day Weekend.

Isn't that what a wilderness experience is supposed to be? 

Those are my feet at Bernice Lake. Another tough day on the trail in Yosemite NP.

Gaylor Lake Basin...

A short and sweet (like me) hike to a two blue and cool lakes. There's remnants of silver mines up there too. Don't venture into them though, you might get shafted!