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Saturday, July 29th - Sunday, July 30th Saturday, July 29th, Amy, Will, Laurie, and Gary left camp at about 9:30 am for a day hike up to Hamilton Lake. On the hike up Gary became dangerously close to stepping on a 6-foot long, black rattle snake. The rattler happened to be sunning in the middle of the trail when Gary came unknowingly toward it. Upon realizing the coiling snake within striking distance Gary jumped backwards yelling. Will grabbed hold of his throat yelling, "what's wrong?!!". On one side of the trail was the steep decline of the mountain, and on the other was the steep incline of the mountain. The snake or the people really didn't have anywhere to go. Laurie suggested a movie trick, to guide the snake off the trail with a walking stick. Gary did just that; this allowed everyone to pass safely, although the snake had recoiled by the time Amy passed. At lower Hamilton Falls just before Big Hamilton, Will stopped to take a swim in the "bear bathtub." The lakes were well stocked with full size trout, and fishing here for brook, rainbow and golden trout could have been very successful. The other four, Ben, Robin, Ed, and Kati enjoyed a relaxing day around camp, with a short hike to Little Bearpaw Meadow to look for Bears. Throughout the entire trip we saw at least four bears. Two in Bearpaw Meadow, one right in our Bearpaw Camp, and a yearling at a rest stop on the drive into Sequoia. Sunday, July 30th, everyone arrived to breakfast with their packs, ready to go. We sat down for a quick meal, filled up our water bottles with fresh water and headed down the trail. Ben and Robin took off first. Ed and Kati took off second, followed by Gary, Will, Laurie, and Amy. The leading group and the rear group each held one of the two way radios. We all caught up with one another at Mehrten Creek. From there we charged on home. Between 12:30 and 1 pm we had all arrived at Crescent Meadow. There we took our final group picture in front of the High Sierra Trail Head. |
