Author Archives: tomconnolly3

Last real rocky and granite day of hiking with 2 good uphills, one long and gradual of about 1000 feet and then a semi fast 700 feet at the end of the day ending at beautiful Dorothy Lake Just love these signs. I know I am not lost. Another Dorothy lake area sunrise. Dorothy lakeContinue reading “9/19/21. Day 4. Miles 982 to 994. Stubblefield Canyon to gorgeous Dorothy Lake. 12 miles.”

Smoke continued to be visible, but was mostly off in the distance and did not seem to affect us. Smegburg lake Very nice trails here Another sunrise. I generally started hiking 30 minutes before Craig so he could relax. Craig had no trouble catching me. When clear, the views were awesome! Day 3 ended atContinue reading “Day 3. 9/18/21. Miles 968 to 982. Smegburg to Kerrick Canyon creek and Stublefield Canyon. 14 miles”

Early sign We traveled the Matterhorn creek trail up and over Benson pass. This was a tough uphill climb with about 1500 feet elevation gain and locks of hard rock steps. We first had to go up 1000 feet to conquer Miller pass then, when already tired and hot, had to attempt Benson pass. ItContinue reading “8/17/21. Miles 955 to 968. McCabe creek to Smegburg lake. 2 passes and a Tough Benson pass with climb up to 10,125. 13 miles.”

Here we go! Nice deer on the path. At mile 950, a fire was just starting to kick in. Probably 400 yards away separated by a small valley. We watched it for 1.5 hours to make sure it was not a risk to us. It was unnerving as had no escape option. Happily 15 minutesContinue reading “8/16/21. TM to MCCabe and Return creek. Forest Fire miles 942 to 955. 13 miles. Maybe 1500 feet elevation gain”

Miles 942.2 to mile 942.7. The plan was to hike 3 PCT sections covering 212 miles with Craig. Sadly, the fires stopped us after only 75 miles On 8/15/21 Tommy drove myself and Craig W to Tuolumne meadows. Wild drive up with crazy pocket rockets and Sports car driving like madmen. Had a nice lunchContinue reading “8/15/21. The adventure continues, but fire interuptus!!”

Our plan is to start hiking on Monday 8/16 and plan to reach Sonora pass by 8/22. We hope to grab our resupply at the pack station in Pinecrest and somehow grab a shower, something to eat, and maybe a bed of cheap. We then hope to get to Echo summit by 8/27 and myContinue reading “Restart begins this Sunday, 8/15/21 in Tuolumne meadows. Miles 942 to 1153.”

this was a training hike in the trinity alps. Never had been there (just northern west of redding). My buddy Gary had set up a Tahoe Rim Trail hike but the smoke changed things our original 8 was reduced to 2, but we knew we would have a blast Gary (wisely) chose the Canyon CreekContinue reading “PCT training, and bears. July 31. No PCT miles”

We got an early 6:02 am start to beat the heat on the fully exposed walk to the Cindercone tested out my new big Agnes 4’ inch inflatable mattress pad. It was GREAT and really helped my sleep. Only 27 breathes to inflate and it folds up easy. I will miss the flexibility of myContinue reading “July 11, 2021. Early walk out and the Cindercone”

Again, a pretty easy gradual ascent up to Horseshoe lake. Goodby to Stags lake for the day. Many side trails are available. 2nd breakfast at the unmanned ranger station. Treated water was available, which is always nice. Also a pot toilet. But no people. More trail options. Wish this area was not 4 hours away.Continue reading “July 10, 2021. Return to the PCT (briefly), ranger stations and swimming and camping at lovely Lower Twin Lakes.”

I decided to join the Sacramento Backpackers on an interesting Horseshoe Loop hike which started just past Old Station at the Butte lake ranger station and traveled around a series of lakes for about 20 miles before we ascended the very very loose rock “Cinder Cone” volcano. Kim, Mike, Kaleb and myself met at 12Continue reading “July 9 to July 11, 2021, a super teeny, tiny itsy bitsy return to the PCT miles 1356 to 1358, Butte lake, Horseshoe Loop trail, Cinder Cone climb and JJ’s again!”