"You are going to laugh when you see what I pull out of this bear can..."
I glanced over at Betsy as we strolled above Chicken Springs Lake, headed across the sandy trail towards Rock Creek. After all, it was she and Jack who gave me the idea of hauling in a care package for my backcountry mountain family. Rob and Laura Pilewski have become dear friends, and I could think of no better way to spend my weekend than to pack into Rock Creek (where Laura is stationed now), which, for me, was uncharted territory.
Gee: a new area in the Sierra, accompanied by another great lady and friend (Betsy called me Friday night to see what trouble I was getting into this weekend and ask if she could tag along!), hauling all sorts of fresh goodies?
This was a no brainer.
The stars aligned, the weather was perfect, the views sublime, and we had the greatest luck in that both Laura and Rob were at Rock Creek for the night!! Betsy and Laura poured over botany books; Rob and I talked story and plans for the coming winter. We feasted on turkey tacos and guacamole, home-made brownie cookies for dessert. Huddling around their small table in the cabin, the only light from two small candles, we laughed into the night. As Betsy and I lay out our cloths and snuggled down in our bags, a huge flaming star ripped across the night sky.
In the morning, pancakes were paired with fresh berries, eggs cooked in the grease of crisping bacon. The creek gurgled by the cabin, and around 1100, Betsy and I finally trudged back up the trail. We looped all the way up and over New Army Pass, then out via the South Fork Lakes. As the last light faded, we rode the sand down from the stock yards to the waiting TOF, glad we didn't have to dig out my light from deep in one of the two bear cans in my pack.
Next time you see them, be sure to thank Rob, and all the other rangers, for the jobs they do.
And Jack, sorry about getting your wife home late last night...
Rest of the pics are
here. From the luckiest girl in the world:
Climb Hard. Be Safe.
-L
