Our 2006 Expedition in the Back Country of Yosemite

Mammoth Mountain Inn

We live in the Sierra Foothills in Gold Rush country at about 5000 feet in elevation.
Each year, we try to spend at least a week in the back country of Yosemite,
carrying everything we need in our packs, and hiking one trail or another
to some obscure but majestic location.

This year, as usual, we invited some friends to join us, and they arrived at
our home from various parts of the country a few days before the hike.

We're North of Yosemite, and it is about a three hour drive there via the back roads.
So, we usually book a room at Mammoth Mountain Inn the night before the hike and
have one last comfortable sleep in a plush bed with all the trappings of civilization.

Part of our tradition is to have a really nice meal that night as kind of a farewell
tribute to real food for the next week.  This time, we chose a room with a kitchen
in the hopes we could save a few bucks by making our own supper.  So we ended
up bringing back $30 of Kentucky Fried Chicken instead.

We also had to find and stop by the supermarket in Mammoth to gather supplies
for the following morning's breakfast and a few last minute items for the hike
itself.  Now, I can find my way through a shopping mall blindfolded, but put
me in a car and I can find my way out of a parking lot.  Still, I managed
to get us there and back, and after some late evening hot cocoa,
we all settled in for a last good night's sleep.

 

Above picture (except those of Melanie) taken by Melanie Anne Phillips

All content copyright Melanie Anne Phillips