July in the Sierra: An Update

Hello! Just a quick post to share how things are going!

My month in the Sierra is coming to a close and the mountains have treated me well. I was lucky to avoid smoke from the Yosemite fires and have hiked over 170 miles all up and down the Sierra Range.

The Sierra are a special place to me, a place I keep returning to year after year. They feel like home. John Muir called these mountains a necessity and a fountain of life for all of us “tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people.” I have been drinking deeply from that fountain during my own little summer in the Sierra. I feel melded to this place and am glad I have been able to spend so much time here.

My plans to hike the PCT in Washington have been nixed due to the high snow levels persisting at the higher elevations. The ranger I spoke to told me to bring my ice ax and crampons. Nope. I’m not looking for that kind of adventure at the moment. So instead, on Monday, I’ll head to Colorado and start the Collegiate Loop. Still a challenge, but one that will continue to provide the hours of quiet walking in open spaces. No ice ax required.

Happy trails!