Mule Pack to the High Sierra by Dave Wyman

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Mule Pack to the High Sierra

By Dave Wyman
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The Central Coast of California - 2010

Point Reyes, Tomales Bay, Petaluma - 2010

My wife, Kathy, and I joined a group from the Sierra Club, on a mule pack. We hiked, with just day packs, to Big McGee Lake, in the High Sierra, south of Mammoth Mountain and east of Crowley Lake. After eight miles and more than 2,000 feet of elevation gain, we reached our beautiful campsite.

The mule packers, from the McGee Creek Pack Station, had arrived ahead of us. It didn't take long to break out several containers of ice cream, which had stayed cold sitting on dry ice.

Beautiful day hikes, optional climbs up two mountains and two passes, spending plenty of down-time in camp to read, talk or meditate, and some terrific shared meals were all on the itinerary.

I made ten new friends on my first mule pack - this was Kathy's sixth - and I want to do it again next year, especially if there will be ice cream.

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Mule Pack to the High Sierra

Kathy relaxes before we set up our tent.

Ranger Mike Rodman paid us a visit.

The mules packed in ice cream on dry ice.

Ice cream with toppings were a fitting reward for our long hike.

Afternoon light from our tent.

Kathy, our kitchen and tent, which we set up on a rock pedestal, the next morning.

My breakfast: a pork chop with dried cranberries and raisins.

The next day, some of us hike for a view above the lake.

Big McGee Lake.

Pano view of Big McGee Lake.

Kathy at the lake, a giant rock fall beyond.

A close look at Mountain Gentian.

Sunlight shines through black glass obsidian.

Obsidian flake left by Native Americans a long time ago.

Grasshopper in camo mode.

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Mule Pack to the High Sierra

Kathy relaxes before we set up our tent.

Ranger Mike Rodman paid us a visit.

The mules packed in ice cream on dry ice.

Ice cream with toppings were a fitting reward for our long hike.

Afternoon light from our tent.

Kathy, our kitchen and tent, which we set up on a rock pedestal, the next morning.

My breakfast: a pork chop with dried cranberries and raisins.

The next day, some of us hike for a view above the lake.

Big McGee Lake.

Pano view of Big McGee Lake.

Kathy at the lake, a giant rock fall beyond.

A close look at Mountain Gentian.

Sunlight shines through black glass  obsidian.

Obsidian flake left by Native Americans a long time ago.

Grasshopper in camo mode.

Sunlight shines through black glass obsidian.