The Wilder-BlogA Trip Report of Hiking in Emigrant Wilderness, California
July 12-21, 2009
written by Tara and guest-blogger/Hubba Hubba roomie, beni
Day 0: Controlled Panic
Meet at The Wood House B&B of Mill Valley (aka, Jill and Eric’s place). Organize piles of food, clothing, shelter. Pack. Sleep, or try.
Day 1: Mind Over Muscle
Wake up ridinculously early. Drive approximately as many hours as you slept. Arrive at Oakdale. Meet the Thordersons: Bo, Taryn, Sammy! Last meal at Oakdale Cafe. Final supply stop at Raley’s. (Mmmm... instant non-fat powdered milk.) Onward to trailhead: Last flush toilets.
A Stalwart Group (L to R: Bo, Sammy, Taryn, Woody, beni, Jill, me) Pack weigh-in:
Eric (aka Woody) = 800 kilos, including a guitar but no amp,
Bo = 600 kilos of common sense and authority, 
Tara= 53 lbs of Astro-Glide,
beni = 45 lbs of What the heck am I doing?,
Jill = The Weight of the World (packaged neatly in Ziploc bags and stuff sacks), 
Sammy = 40 lbs of Gorp that she didn’t eat anyway,
My BFWCTaryn = Pop Tarts and Body Fat (a lot of it).
Taryn, Wilder-Solid Gold Dancer
Hike: Crabtree trailhead to campsite on Cherry Creek, 7.5 miles, all on trail. Starting at 7,150 ft., climb gently to about 7,800 ft. before descending to our campsite at 7,450 ft. Approx 9 hours.
Meet more Thordersons: Hans, Chris, Tait, Thor, Dean. Eric’s debut campfire stylings.
the Littlest HoboesWoody Wilder-dictionary entries of the day:
Gentle = Punishing
Astro-Glide = Blister prevention magic from Canada, aka Body Glide
Astro-Glide = Blister prevention magic from Canada, aka Body Glide
Me n JillyBeanTara adventures of the day: Breakfast discussion of scrotal chafing, resulting in Bo nearly spitting out her huevos. Clambering the granite version of the Great Wall of China. Near-death experience when Eric learned I used biodegradable soap in his creek. 
What beni learned: I hate mosquitoes as much as I love DEET. I hate feeling lost as much as I hate mosquitoes.
Day 2: Rock Stars
Cherry Creek to Hyatt Lake, 2.8 miles, all cross-country. Starting at 7,450 ft., we climb over a 7,800 ft. ridge, then descend to the lake at 7,400 ft. Approx 4.5 hours.
What beni learned: I hate mosquitoes as much as I love DEET. I hate feeling lost as much as I hate mosquitoes.
Day 2: Rock Stars
Cherry Creek to Hyatt Lake, 2.8 miles, all cross-country. Starting at 7,450 ft., we climb over a 7,800 ft. ridge, then descend to the lake at 7,400 ft. Approx 4.5 hours.
Woody Wilder-dictionary entry of the day:
Boulder-hopping = Marine Corps obstacle course.
Tara adventures of the day: Having a 7-year old boy clamouring “Take it off! Take it off!” in his 7-year old boy voice. (He wanted to see my sunburn, I swear, that's all!) Learning that my water bottle is actually a green fish but luckily Hans is actually a deep-sea diver. 
What beni learned: It is much easier to kick your backpack through the rocks than to carry it over the rocks. Sammy and Taryn make posing on top of a boulder with your pack on look easy. Freshly-melted snow is cold. While Hans may actually be a deep-sea diver, it is quite possible that Bo is a mermaid.
Day 3: Hell Day
Hyatt Lake to Red Can Lake, 5.1 miles, all cross-country. Starting at 7,400 ft., we climb over open granite slopes to about 8,400 ft. before descending slightly to our destination at 8,300 ft. Approx 9 hours.
What beni learned: It is much easier to kick your backpack through the rocks than to carry it over the rocks. Sammy and Taryn make posing on top of a boulder with your pack on look easy. Freshly-melted snow is cold. While Hans may actually be a deep-sea diver, it is quite possible that Bo is a mermaid.
Day 3: Hell Day
Hyatt Lake to Red Can Lake, 5.1 miles, all cross-country. Starting at 7,400 ft., we climb over open granite slopes to about 8,400 ft. before descending slightly to our destination at 8,300 ft. Approx 9 hours.
ants trekking across the moonscape 
Woody Wilder-dictionary entries of the day:
As the crow flies = LOOK OUT! A short trip up a cliff, around a knob, across a river, backtrack for a while, then when all hope appears lost, TAH DAH: Red Can Lake. 
G.P.S. = 20° to the right of reality
Skirting = This is gonna be far.
Knob = Cliff
Saddle = Mountain
Asser = So much worse than a bummer. Example, Falling on your soda treasure and cracking it wide open in the last few minutes of Hell Day and sleeping in a wet, sticky sleeping bag because of it. On the 9th day of a 12 day backpacking trip, putting your treat apple in your stinky scok to protect it from bear scoffing, having a bear turn it into applesauce anyway.
Tara adventures of the day: Near-death experience when Bo saw me showing Sammy and Taryn an “acceptable” route down a rock ramp. Appeased the Wrath of the Mother Bear with a cocktail.
What beni learned: A little koala goes a long way.
Being swarmed by mosquitoes makes you not care that you don’t have enough water in your bottle. I hate crows as much as I hate mosquitoes. Eric is 10,000 times the man I am.
Jill & beni happy to be off the trail
Day 4: The Heat is On
Red Can Lake to Lertora Lake, 2.1 miles, cross-country followed by trail. Starting at 8,300 ft., we descend to cross the outlet of Cow Meadow Lake at 7,800 ft., then pick up a trail which climbs to our destination at 8,400 ft. Approx 3 hours.
Woody Wilder-dictionary entry of the day:
G.P.S. = 20° to the right of reality
Skirting = This is gonna be far.
Knob = Cliff
Saddle = Mountain
Asser = So much worse than a bummer. Example, Falling on your soda treasure and cracking it wide open in the last few minutes of Hell Day and sleeping in a wet, sticky sleeping bag because of it. On the 9th day of a 12 day backpacking trip, putting your treat apple in your stinky scok to protect it from bear scoffing, having a bear turn it into applesauce anyway.
Tara adventures of the day: Near-death experience when Bo saw me showing Sammy and Taryn an “acceptable” route down a rock ramp. Appeased the Wrath of the Mother Bear with a cocktail.
What beni learned: A little koala goes a long way.
Being swarmed by mosquitoes makes you not care that you don’t have enough water in your bottle. I hate crows as much as I hate mosquitoes. Eric is 10,000 times the man I am.
Jill & beni happy to be off the trailDay 4: The Heat is On
Red Can Lake to Lertora Lake, 2.1 miles, cross-country followed by trail. Starting at 8,300 ft., we descend to cross the outlet of Cow Meadow Lake at 7,800 ft., then pick up a trail which climbs to our destination at 8,400 ft. Approx 3 hours.
Woody Wilder-dictionary entry of the day:
Hubba Hubba = a small, sexy home away from home
Snugga-Hubba = When a small, sexy tent gets put in an even smaller space
Tara adventure of the day: Photo shoot at the Blue Dragonfly No-tell Motel. 
Near-death experience when Bo overheard me sharing cautionary tales of my, ahem, light-hearted youthful escapades.
What beni learned: A little meltdown goes a long way. Jill is 10,000 times the sweetie that I am – and looks good in a floatie to boot!
Veggie Italian sausage tastes like love at 8,400 ft. Cold water therapy is the next best thing to veggie Italian sausage at 8,400 ft. Solar showers are better than cold water therapy.
Day 5: Oh say, can Yosemite?
Lertora Lake to Lower Twin Lake, 4 miles, trail followed by cross-country. Starting at 8,400 ft., we descend on a trail to Hukleberry Lake at 7,850 ft., then climb steeply (but briefly) to 8,700 ft., where we cross into Yosemite National Park just before arriving at our destination at 8,650 ft. Approx 3 hours.
Near-death experience when Bo overheard me sharing cautionary tales of my, ahem, light-hearted youthful escapades.
What beni learned: A little meltdown goes a long way. Jill is 10,000 times the sweetie that I am – and looks good in a floatie to boot!
Veggie Italian sausage tastes like love at 8,400 ft. Cold water therapy is the next best thing to veggie Italian sausage at 8,400 ft. Solar showers are better than cold water therapy.Day 5: Oh say, can Yosemite?
Lertora Lake to Lower Twin Lake, 4 miles, trail followed by cross-country. Starting at 8,400 ft., we descend on a trail to Hukleberry Lake at 7,850 ft., then climb steeply (but briefly) to 8,700 ft., where we cross into Yosemite National Park just before arriving at our destination at 8,650 ft. Approx 3 hours.
Love in the Backwoods 
The Group starts to show "Trail Rage"Woody Wilder-dictionary entry of the Day:
Mountain Margaritas = Yummy deliciousness. Recipe of the Day: Mountain Margaritas = Freshly-harvested snow + Crystal Light Lemon + whatever tequila the underage girls haven’t drunk yet
Tara adventure of the day: The Happiest Hour.
7 way CHEERS! Part I.
Day 5 means time for some Wilder-Grooming. (yes, they really are shaving their pits!)
What beni learned: Sammy and Taryn make floating to an island on a pancake look easy. It takes a village to cook a rehydrated gourmet meal. Mosquitoes swarming your tent obscure your lovely view of purple shooting stars in the meadow.
Duct tape is good for mending. You can shame a lazy ankle into healing itself.
Day 6: Happy Birthday, Dani!
Lower Twin Lake to Black Bear Lake, 3.2 miles, mixed cross-country and trail. Starting at 8,650 ft., we follow the north edge of Lower Twin Lake before climbing to pass Upper Twin Lake before reaching our destination at 9,300 ft. Approx 3 hours.
Day 5 means time for some Wilder-Grooming. (yes, they really are shaving their pits!)What beni learned: Sammy and Taryn make floating to an island on a pancake look easy. It takes a village to cook a rehydrated gourmet meal. Mosquitoes swarming your tent obscure your lovely view of purple shooting stars in the meadow.
Duct tape is good for mending. You can shame a lazy ankle into healing itself.Day 6: Happy Birthday, Dani!
Lower Twin Lake to Black Bear Lake, 3.2 miles, mixed cross-country and trail. Starting at 8,650 ft., we follow the north edge of Lower Twin Lake before climbing to pass Upper Twin Lake before reaching our destination at 9,300 ft. Approx 3 hours.
Woody’s Wilder-quote of the Day: “If a man says something in the forest and there are no women around to hear, is he still wrong?” (Answer: Duh. He was hiking alone with 6 women)
Tara adventure of the day: Earning one more stripe as an unofficial gear tester by breaking the Wilderness Wanderer man-only backpack. Making a daypack out of a plastic shopping bag filled with warm salami, sweaty cheese and a novel. Climbing up the ridge for a better view.
What beni learned: Doing nothing at 9,300 ft is even better than veggie Italian sausage at 8,400 ft. I can lift my Hubba.
"I have a friend who tried out a backpacking recipe for Pad Thai at home and it was so delicious that she ate it again the next day for lunch." 
I make a lovely dancing alien. 
The Milky Way looks like clouds when you’re not wearing your contacts. The Backpacker First Aid kit does not include an x-ray machine.
The Milky Way looks like clouds when you’re not wearing your contacts. The Backpacker First Aid kit does not include an x-ray machine.
Day 7: Night of the Revenge of the Mozzies
Black Bear Lake to campsite on Cherry Creek, 4 miles, cross-country followed by trail. Starting at 9,300 ft., we climb to pass Bigelow Lake at 9,600 ft., then cross a pass at 9,800 ft. before descending to Snow Lake at 9,350 ft. There, we pick up a trail and climb to our campsite at 9,550 ft. Just kidding: Push on to Grizzly Meadow. Approx 4 hours.
the swarm outside the tent in the AM
Sammy - Zapatista warrior princess or bug-bitten refugee?
Tara adventure of the day: Breaktime summit to 9,900 ft. Avoiding near-death experience by deciding not to go to 10,000 ft only to fall precipitously and have Bo heal me only to teach me what pain really feels like. Getting annihilated at hearts. (Honestly, who loses a trick when they lead a 3?!) 
Boot skiing in July. 
What beni learned: Sliding on snow is easier than walking on snow. Duct tape is good for mending, but Bo has a better method.
Day 8: Through the Forest, Under the Stars
Cherry Creek to Sheep Camp, 6.1 miles, all on trail. Starting at 9,550 ft., we climb slightly to Grizzly Meadow, then descend to 9,400 ft. to pass Emigrant Meadow Lake. We then climb to 9,750 ft. to cross Brown Bear Pass, after which we descend to our destination at 8,800 ft. Approx 6 hours.
Wilder-babes
Woody Wilder-dictionary entry of the day:
Woody’s nuts = Spicy nuts from Trader Joe’s that Bo tells Sammy and Taryn to grab for her. As in, “Girls, go grab Woody’s nuts for me.”
Recipe of the Day:
What beni learned: Sliding on snow is easier than walking on snow. Duct tape is good for mending, but Bo has a better method.
Day 8: Through the Forest, Under the Stars
Cherry Creek to Sheep Camp, 6.1 miles, all on trail. Starting at 9,550 ft., we climb slightly to Grizzly Meadow, then descend to 9,400 ft. to pass Emigrant Meadow Lake. We then climb to 9,750 ft. to cross Brown Bear Pass, after which we descend to our destination at 8,800 ft. Approx 6 hours.
Wilder-babes
Woody Wilder-dictionary entry of the day:
Woody’s nuts = Spicy nuts from Trader Joe’s that Bo tells Sammy and Taryn to grab for her. As in, “Girls, go grab Woody’s nuts for me.”
Recipe of the Day:
Jill’s Curried Lentils with Rice = Rice + Lentils + Curry. Taste. Send beni to poach Woody's candied ginger. Add all of it. Taste. Send beni to find chocolate. Add all of Tara’s remaining chocolate stash. Taste. Top with Woody’s nuts. Yummy!
Tara adventure of the day: Quashing Woody’s Hail Mary attempt to win Ugliest Body Part Competition with an infected blister. (“Poor self-care will not be rewarded.”) While out for a Wilder-poop, Tara finds and extinguishes a forest fire. (“Just digging for the edges. There’s nothing scientific about this.”)
What beni learned: I make a lovely water nymph. No one wants me on their team for Charades. If she’s already asleep, Tara won’t tell me what to do if I wake up to a bear licking my head.
Day 9: Escape from Emigrant Wilderness, aka Woody’s Paradise
Sheep Camp to Kennedy Meadow, 8.5 miles, all on trail. Starting at 8,800 ft., we descend to Relief Reservoir at about 7,300 ft., where we climb slightly to skirt the reservoir before continuing our descent to our destination (and showers, cheeseburgers, and frosty beverages) at 6,300 ft. Approx 2 hours (Bo, Sammy, Taryn) – 4.5 hours (Tara, beni)
What beni learned: I make a lovely water nymph. No one wants me on their team for Charades. If she’s already asleep, Tara won’t tell me what to do if I wake up to a bear licking my head.
Day 9: Escape from Emigrant Wilderness, aka Woody’s Paradise
Sheep Camp to Kennedy Meadow, 8.5 miles, all on trail. Starting at 8,800 ft., we descend to Relief Reservoir at about 7,300 ft., where we climb slightly to skirt the reservoir before continuing our descent to our destination (and showers, cheeseburgers, and frosty beverages) at 6,300 ft. Approx 2 hours (Bo, Sammy, Taryn) – 4.5 hours (Tara, beni)
Woody Wilder-dictionary entry of the day:
Wilder... = The 9-day Backpacking version of anything
Tara adventure of the day: Following that dang flying crow, including the tiniest sign that said, "Main Trail", only to be saved by a cowboy. Witnessed the graduation of beni from Marine Corps boot camp, as she happily pranced across a raging river on a log. (SO proud!) 
The best cheeseburger of my life, at the end of the dusty trail.
What beni learned: Crossing over a raging torrent on a fallen log gives you Wilder-balls. When a cowboy asks you if you’re lost, you are.
The best cheeseburger of my life, at the end of the dusty trail.What beni learned: Crossing over a raging torrent on a fallen log gives you Wilder-balls. When a cowboy asks you if you’re lost, you are.
7 way cheers, Part II
Tara's Life Is Good!
do we clean up nicely, or what?
1 comment:
Fantastic blog! Amazing photos, too. Sounds like a super-great time was had by all.
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