“There is always a temptation to diddle around in the contemplative life, making itsy-bitsy statues.” There is always an enormous temptation in all of life to diddle around making itsy-bitsy friends and meals and journeys for itsy-bitsy years on end. It is so self-conscious, so apparently moral, simply to step aside from the gaps where the creeks and winds pour down, saying, I never merited this grace, quite rightly, and then to sulk along the rest of your days on the edge of rage.
I won’t have it. The world is wilder than that in all directions, more dangerous and bitter, more extravagant and bright. We are making hay when we should be making whoopee; we are raising tomatoes when we should be raising Cain, or Lazarus.
Go up into the gaps. If you can find them; they shift and vanish too. Stalk the gaps. Squeak into a gap in the soil, turn, and unlock-more than a maple- a universe. This is how you spend this afternoon, and tomorrow morning, and tomorrow afternoon. Spend the afternoon. You can’t take it with you.”
― Annie Dillard, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek
June 5
Mineral King Trailhead to 1 mile above Big Bearpaw Meadow – 16 miles
Benjamin from the Silver City Resort kindly gave us a ride back to the trailhead at 6:00 am. Our first obstacle of the day was negotiating up and over a big wash on the Timber Gap trail. After descending Timber Gap, Cliff Creek was high and swift. We went upstream from the trail and found a safer crossing.
The highlight of the day was walking through a grove of giant sequoias. It was a place of magic and peace. Arrow and I just sat in awe. I wish I could package that feeling. Arrow says it is not possible.
The creeks have been high because of the heat and snow melt. We decided to take an alternate to avoid the crossing of the Middle Fork of the Kaweah. It was a good choice and had a bridge, but we did have to ford Granite Creek before the bridge. I spent some time scouting upriver and downriver for a better ford or a log, but ended up fording where the trail crosses. It was butt high on me and rushing.
At the end of this day, we found the perfect campspot overlooking granite domes, waterfalls, and views for miles.
Great pics of Valhalla and the Hamilton Lake / Precipice Lake area. Backpacked through that area last year with my kids. It was epic. One other note. When I did that stretch of TST southbound, the climb from the redwoods to Timber Gap was absolutely beautiful with wildflowers.
We read that Will, but unfortunately it was too early season for the full bloom of wildflowers. Next time. The whole area is man oh man something else.
I’d read that you need to use chicken wire around cars at the TH. That plastic is a much better idea!
Rock On!
I wished I would have taken more photos of the cars. It was crazy funny.
Can’t believe I’m the first to ask… what’s the deal with the car wrap??
Marmot control! They like to eat the radiator hoses and battery cables. Yummmmm. They don’t have a healthy diet!
Ahhhh, makes sense!! Just moved back home to TN, though a different area than I grew up in, and found chipmunks trying to nest in my truck. So far, keeping them at bay with dried pepper flakes on the driveway and wintergreen oil sprayed under the hood. ?
Been a while since I’ve seen that view from bearpaw! Still mind blowing! Hidden Hamilton lakes, kaweah gap and backside of Angel wings. Makes me want to get up out of this chair and head for crescent meadow. Thanks for bring me along.
You are welcome. Mind blowing is the correct term. I would venture to say, it is one of the best views in the Sierra.
Beautiful pictures. What gorgeous country to hike through and looks like good weather too. Can’t beat that!!
Best weather ever. We are very lucky. Thank you for following along.
Your photos, as usual, bring the outdoors to my monitor! The only thing missing was the scents from the flowers & the trees.
Thanks
If only we could package that, but then we wouldn’t have to go outdoors and fill ourselves with nature and all it gives.