Tag Archives: backpacking

Backpacking to Emerald Lake – Sequoia National Park

We set up our base camp at Dorst Creek and then hiked out all over the park.  As a group, we got in over 30 miles in the four days we were in Sequoia National Park.

One of our most favorite trails was our backpacking trip to Emerald Lake on the Lakes Trail.

Emerald Lake - Sequoia National Park
Emerald Lake – Sequoia National Park

Step one, we went to Lodgepole Visitor Center and put in for a Wilderness Permit.  Step two, we packed our packs and headed out on the trail.
The Lakes Trail is about 15-17 miles depending how much wandering you do.  We wandered all over and got in about 15 miles.
Elevation change for Emerald lake is about 5000 feet.  You start at 6800 and go up to 9200 or so.  It is a tough hike to the lakes.  The trail gets very steep at times and it is quite challenging.
Our group consisted of one old man [our dad], our mom, and us – 13, 11, and 5 years of age.
Yes, a 5-year-old did backpack the entire trail with a pack.

Loaded packs
Loaded packs

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Starting off was pretty easy.   The Wilverine had to stop for gummy bears quite a few times.

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We stopped for lunch on the way up at the watchtower.  Take the watchtower trail; do not take the hump trail.  The views on the watchtower trail were spectacular and the elevation was not nearly as extreme.

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After the watchtower, the trail gets very rocky and narrow.  If you look over the edge of the trail, the valley bottom is a long way down.

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The first lake you encounter is Heather Lake.  Next up is Aster Lake and then Emerald.  The last lake is Pear Lake.

Heather Lake
Heather Lake

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Getting water from the stream
Getting water from the stream

We camped at Emerald Lake and were the only people in the camp.   We saw only a few people the entire time on the mountain and it was awesome.

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If you are in the area and have a chance to hike or backpack the Lakes Trail, we encourage you to do it.  It was a really cool trip.

Sunset over Aster Lake
Emerald Lake
Emerald Lake

What a cool lake with spectacular views.

 

Hiking the Big Tree Trails – Sequoia National Park

We love us some big trees and there is simply no better place to see big trees than Sequoia National Park’s Giant Forest.
We hiked all over the Giant Forest and spent time with General Sherman, the Congress, the Senate, and the President. We also saw many other giant trees like Chief Sequoya. Although the Wilverine complained about hiking the whole time we still had fun. What a cool place!

Giant Forest here we come.
Giant Forest here we come.

General Sherman is a huge tree.  Sherman is the largest tree in the world. The Wilverine says “it is the fattest, reddest tree I have ever seen and it got struck by lightning, which is why the top quit growing. If you go here, you are going to see a big fat red tree that does not grow at the top. It is a really cool tree and you should go see it.” My mom says it’s like a human because it has quit growing up, but is still growing out.

General Sherman
General Sherman

On the Congress trail, you can see the Senate, the House, and the President. The Wilverine says “the President was huge. That is it.”

The Senate
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The Senate
The House
The House
The House
The House

Giants are everywhere in the Sequoias. Chief Sequoyah and the McKinley tree were massive.

Big fat red tree
Big fat red tree

We are running our base camp from Dorst Creek Campground, site number 65. It is a walk-in tent only site and it is the best site ever. We have access to the river and can run free without bothering anyone.

Sequoia Base Camp
Sequoia NP Base Camp
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Sequoia NP Base Camp

We are backpacking as well and will post about our trip to Emerald Lake later. It is a 15-mile round trip backpacking trip with almost 5000 feet of elevation change.  Hard core!

Salomon shoes rock !

My whole family wears Salomons for trail running and hiking (except for my youngest brother because we can’t find them in his size). I have bought the same model of Salomon trail shoes, Speedcross 3, four times, but in different colors and sizes, as I’ve outgrown each pair. I also recently purchased a pair of Salomon hiking boots. Every time I buy a pair of these I find that it is well worth the investment. For example, the last time I was out chasing Bigfoot,  my Salomon  trail-running shoes helped me run through the snow to catch it. It turned out to be my dad after he hadn’t shaved for a month. Anyone could make that mistake. But I go out training for my Philmont trek with my troop and both my running shoes and my boots make training on mount Hockley that much more fun.

 

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This is a picture of my brother and me in action sporting our Salomons and another shot of my family showing off their kicks on the Appalachian Trail.

 

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This is all the pairs of Salomons we currently have in the house. (Two other pairs had to be thrown out due to the swamp smell emanating from them.)

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Guess who didn’t wear his Salomons.

If you need a pair of boots or trail running shoes, I recommend Salomons as they have served me well and they will probably do the same for you. In the Houston area, we recommend a visit to Ground Up Athletics. They were the first to introduce us to this great line of trail shoes.

Disclaimer:  We don’t yet receive any kickbacks or discounts from the companies that we brag about, but we are certainly willing to change that…

You can reach us at   info@roadtrippingforkids.com   Peace out yo!

Rock Climbing at ERock with Rock About

On May 15 and 16, I went camping with my boy scout troop at eRock.  We went backpacking into the primitive area in the back and camped at Walnut Spring and Moss Lake.  It is a beautiful place.  The trail was not tough at all.  We took over 60 people into the primitive area and all had a blast.

On Saturday, we went rock climbing with Rock About.  They are a great outfitter and did an awesome job helping us learn the right way to rock climb.  I finished the entire Rock Climbing Merit Badge.  I would highly encourage any troop to use Rock About if you are at eRock or any of the nearby parks with rock climbing options.  Adam and the crew did a great job.  Thanks.

Here some pics that my dad took while I was there.

Getting coached up by Rock About. These guys know their stuff.
Getting coached up by Rock About. These guys know their stuff.
I am all geared up and ready to climb some rocks.
I am all geared up and ready to climb some rocks.
I am on the top of the rock ready to rock and roll.
I am on the top of the rock ready to rock and roll.

Go rock climbing with Rock About if you get the chance.  You will love it.

Here is my entire troop getting some last minute instructions.
Here is my entire troop getting some last minute instructions.

I love erock and want to go back and spend more time hiking and backpacking around the park.  My dad and I camped right on Moss Lake under some awesome oak trees.  It was the best site.  We had a breeze the entire time.
Go out to eRock and hike into the back primitive area.  You will be glad you did.

Me and my dad at our awesome camp site.
Me and my dad at our awesome camp site.

The main picture of eRock with the lake behind it is from our camp site.  It was a great site.

Follow our adventures this summer on https://www.facebook.com/Roadtrippingforkids or here on the blog.
We will be backpacking all over California and Hawaii and will be posting great pics the whole summer.

Take Care,
BenHornSheep –  I also post lots of great wildlife pictures on Yonder.it.  Get the app.