One of my favorite birthday traditions is heading out into the backcountry. I was lucky to snag a permit to hike the Deer Lakes Loop in Mammoth Lakes.

One of my favorite birthday traditions is heading out into the backcountry. I was lucky to snag a permit to hike the Deer Lakes Loop in Mammoth Lakes.
The journey from Lake Sabrina Basin to Donkey Lake is a backpacking experience that combines challenge with beauty. It’s an opportunity to disconnect from the hustle of daily life, and immerse yourself in the magic of the Eastern Sierra.
Lake Dorothy, a high alpine lake in the Eastern Sierra, is accessible via a 5.8-mile trail starting at Convict Lake. Located in Inyo National Forest, the lake is best visited between May and October. However, a major creek crossing before Mildred Lake is not recommended as of December 2023. Wilderness permits are required for backpacking.
The hike to Big Pine Lakes is a challenging 15.2-mile out-and-back trail located in the John Muir Wilderness in the Eastern Sierra mountains of California.
Big McGee Lake is a beautiful alpine lake located in the Eastern Sierra mountains. The hike to the lake is 15.2 miles round trip and begins at the McGee Creek Trailhead.
Thousand Island Lake is an alpine lake in the Eastern Sierra Mountains. It’s known for the many little islands that make up Thousand Island Lake.
You know all of those places you have saved on your maps? Maybe you too have a list titled, “BRB”? How about those IG friends you’ve never met?
It’s Memorial Day weekend. Winter is gone, and for the past 4 months, I have successfully gone on one solo trip every month this year.
Being able to show my sisters just exactly why I don’t mind the 6-hour drive to Mammoth is probably one of my favorite ways to get them outdoors and in the backcountry.
Once places started to safely open up to the public; hikers and backpackers, like myself, took full advantage of getting back on the trail.
2019 was my year of backcountry memories and alpine lakes. From Washington during spring and Colorado in the summer, I was lucky to be able to dip my toes in a few alpine lakes last year.
Not only is my pack 29.5 lbs, and not only are we and planning to hike the tallest mountain in America, and not only are we planning to be on trail for the next 5-days, while attempting to hike two 14ers, when I haven’t even hiked my first one, but of course, this morning– I started my period.
There are some places that you keep returing to because it just feels right. So, how many times do you visit a place before fully exploring it? It was my 5th time hiking this specific trail, but my 1st time completing the loop.
Big Pine Creek North Fork Trail is located in Inyo National Forest on the Eastern side of the Sierra Nevada and is a pretty popular area known for day hiking, camping, fishing and backpacking.
Duck Lake Trail in the John Muir Wilderness is a popular trail that consists of alpine lakes, mountain views, wildflowers and a decent climb for a day hike or even an overnight backpacking trip.