Exploring the Sierras

Listening to a thriller while driving to spend a week camping by myself probably wasn’t the best decision. But, you know when you’re too far into a book that you need to know what happens even if it makes you freak out every time a branch breaks or the wind stirs? That’s where I was. 

I stayed in a different campground each night. Due to how expansive all the parks were, I wanted a chance to explore as much as I could. The first spot outside the Big Oak Flat entrance of Yosemite was Pine Campground. I got settled in early afternoon, set up my hammock, and promptly fell asleep. It had been a long 3 weeks prior gearing up to leave and having emotional goodbyes, so my body was ready to rest! I luckily woke up in time to drive into Yosemite and watch the sunset. The next day when I was leaving I saw the sun was setting over Half Dome, causing this gorgeous golden red glow. How could I pass that up?! Two beautiful sunrises!

I rolled up to my second campsite outside the Arch Rock Entrance, McCabe Flat campgrounds, when it was very dark. It was about 2 miles from the main road down a very gravely road, but I had no phone service to find a new place and decided to commit. Waking up in the morning, I was glad I did! Beautiful fall colors greeted me along with a rushing river.

A main takeaway I took from my explorations to the Lower Falls the first day and a hike to Mirror Lake the next was that this late in the year - no water. But, the surrounding cliffs and rocks made the views just as stunning.

It was time I left Yosemite and made my way out to King’s Canyon National Park where I was sleeping in the Azalea Campground . I explored King’s Canyon and Sequia in one day, which according to guidebooks is the average time visitors spend despite the parks being even larger than Yosemite. But, I had to get to Vegas to meet up with friends so one day was all I had!

I saw the General Sherman in King’s Canyon and General Grant in Sequia, two of the world’s largest trees. Easy to feel like a dwarf! I stopped by Hume Lake in between parks and then hiked Congress Trail to see even MORE trees. And then, the real show stopper was Moro Rock. The climb up was steep with tons of stairs, cliffs to my side, and unbelievable views. When I got to the top, it was unclear if I was speechless from the beauty or out of breath from the climb. WOW. Words cannot describe how it felt looking out.

And that was a wrap on the Sierras!