The Perfect Trip

With such a chaotic start one could’ve only assumed it would end in terror.

We planned to leave Friday morning yet here we are the night before with nothing packed. We swiftly gathered all our gear and ran through mental checklists. Within a few hours all groceries gear and essentials were ready, all that was left was our clothes. We retreat for the night to pack then sleep. I am awakened by Alex tapping at my door and promptly sit up and put on my clothes for the day.

After about 4 hours we arrive to azalea campground and to our surprise it was nearly full.  With high hopes of setting up at camp 60 we we began our hunt for home. The first loop of sites seemed to have all been taken, continuing down we came to our first viable option. This site was daily secluded from other sites and not too far from the nearest restroom, the only downside was that it was on a slope and had no leveled ground for the tent. We left a chair here just in case and mustered forth only to be devastated by the sight of camp 60 being taken. We kept going through the campground looking at sites until we make it back to the front and notice that it’s a walk in site with two sites on it. We park and go take a look at what seems not too secluded but fairly flat and quite large with resources a short distance away. This site was a very viable option, so we put a chair! We decided to return to compare campsites because we had to pick up a chair either way. On our way back we stumbled across another campsite that was not previously vacant and take a look only to be distracted by the park water maintenance man Bert. He was a very nice older gentleman that spoke openly about immigration and loosely enforced forest rules. We had to cut our conversation with him, although it was enjoyable we still had to set up camp.

We chose to head back to the flatter camp with more resources. In a matter of minutes we had our site all set up with tents food in the bear box chairs out the whole nine yards; now it was time to make it, extra homey. Venturing off to the near marsh we come across a closed campsite with a perfect stump for a table. Once moved a vibrant vibrant salamander (Large-blotched Ensatina) with a dark grey body and magnificent orange blotches. After observing him for a wile we lowered his home down and continued on to find a small chair side stump as well as a dinner table for two. We took them back to the site to clean for use then proceeded to collect resources and by that I mean firewood. We cleaned and dragged 4 large logs along with a large slab that unfortunately was too damp. We began breaking the logs down with axes and wedges to create the LARGEST pile of wood in the campground. It wasn’t until later that night we found that the campsite we had chosen was more secluded that we had thought. As the sun went down a crescent moon shined down to dimly light the night. A plethora of stars appeared before our eyes yet the our Galaxy still masqueraded by the faint light of the moon. Along with nightfall a symphony of frogs takes over to echo through the mountainside. One frog looking for another they croaked through the night.

We enjoyed the sounds of nature with steaks potatoes and brussel sprouts and finished dinner with a piece of brownie and chocolate milk. The rest of of first day was spent enjoying company and a large fire. We may or may not have also made peanut butter and banana sandwiches.

The next day we arose to make breakfast burritos with yogurt to start our day. After a very tasty breakfast we got into the car an headed out for the day with no plan. We ventured off to explore what northern sequoia had to offer, one road took us to our first stop camp ugly, a large group of people had setup in a deeper part of the forest and decided to proudly proclaim their ugliness. After heading up the main road for a bit we see a trail head that we concluded taking if nothing else but later arrive at the end of the road leading us to a large water fall. totally worth it for a 5 mile hike. The scenery was beautiful and one particular part of the trail looked like a stone hallway which was an absolutely perfect entrance the the reveal of a magnificently powerful waterfall towering high above. The trail took you to a view point about 30 yards of climbing away from the bottom largest pool. We climbed down to the base of the waterfall with the idea of getting in the water. Alex strips down and contemplates his decision while I photograph the waterfall. As I’m taking off my shoes Alex walks in like the terminator gets to his neck and dunks his head then sits there for a bit before coming back out. I on the other hand got in as fast as I could and felt a shocking cold that stole the my breathe. After gathering myself I dunked my head in and sprung back out, I sat for about 10 seconds before I decided I’d had enough. I struggled to get out as I felt my toes slightly numb.

Once I was out of the water I was fine within minutes so much so that we decide to have some delicious chicken Gouda pasta with baby tomatoes. After lunch I took more pictures as I waited to dry off a bit and when we did we got dressed and headed back to the car. On our way we crossed paths with a very cute marmot  who lived under the rocks. He got comfortable with my presence to where he came out to have a better look at me. I continued to admire it for a moment then continued forth. We ran then walked then ran again and continued that pattern almost all the way back and finished the hike with going up a large trunk to about a 10 foot jump down. Definitely a fun trail with a surreal view. Returning to camp wire promptly started a fire and made chicken sausages with artesano bread a fantastic snack with Mayo and mustard. We made use of the falling sun and chopped up our remaining two logs and shot a few arrows as the sun set. the night went on and we got hungrier we made carne asada tacos with a Mediterranean potato salad. And again a brownie to close the meal and the frogs sang us to sleep. The following day we arose to the chirping of birds. We got a late start to our day but only because we were busy enjoy a lovely breakfast. The rich flavor of a blueberry bagel with cream cheese to compliment a Luxuriously cheesy omelet. We headed back up the road to the first trail we had found it was another 5 mile trail to a vista point. The intent was to run and run we did. Leaping across rocks and over downed trees we went at a steady pace. The top of baldy point was phenomenal. It provides a 360 view of all surrounding mountains with 2 ranges completely snow capped. After a few moments of admiration we made our eyes back down and had to do some mountain parkour. The way down was is always easier. Both Alex and I had dinner on our minds, baby back ribs with creamed corn along side baked beans and roasted brussel sprouts. Oh yea, we eat good.

But first we had to rinse off so we ventured off in search of a super dope little section of the river that can created pools in large rocks. It looked like slides that lead to different pools. Once we found it We climbed down and found the rocks were fairly slick, this made things pretty tricky. After finding a pool that appeared to be safe we once again tripped down and got in to Ivey cold water. It had to be high 30s. On the plus side today was not a gloomy as prior with it was a little ore tolerable. Enough for me to hang out for a bit and stuck my head under the waterfall. It was at least 5 feet above my head. We dried off and made our way back to camp and began to prepare dinner. With a bit of ingenuity we found rocks the proper shape and size to make an oven over the fire pit. Getting the slow cook was top priority. After some time we began the side dishes and sliced the ribs to finishoff by frying in a bit of bacon grease. Food was done after night fall so we got to eat under the stars. The meal couldn’t be anymore perfect. It was pure bliss. A perfect meal to end the most perfect trip. And to top it off chocolate milk and brownies. I couldn’t have asked for a better time or better company for that matter.