Members can listen to my narration here: https://buymeacoffee.com/adventuresandreams/podcast-sierra-bound-the-untold-story-begins
This trip held a special significance for me. After months of uncertainty and a big move to Southern California, it marked my return to what I love—nature, the mountains, and backpacking.
I spent weeks meticulously preparing, finding the perfect location, and fine-tuning my gear. Thanks to your support, I was able to leave behind my heavy backpack and embrace a lighter setup for this multi-day adventure. I was particularly excited to finally test my new 16 oz tent, which I revealed just a few weeks ago, along with my Therm-A-Rest sleeping pad and pillow. This trip was more than just an escape; it was a return to my “normal,” a much-needed reconnection with the wilderness.
“Going to the mountains is like going home” – John Muir
My journey was about to take me to new heights—literally. The trail ahead would lead me to elevations I’d never hiked before, soaring over 10,000 feet (3000 meters). I couldn’t help but wonder how my body would handle the elevation. Would I experience any altitude sickness, or would I adapt smoothly? To give myself the best chance to adjust, I decided to drive up the night before and sleep in the parking lot, already perched above 10,000 feet. My North Face Terra 55 was packed to the brim, ready for the adventure ahead, with an extra sleeping pad, pillow, and sleeping bag stashed in the car for a good night’s rest. As I settled in, excitement and anticipation filled the air—my adventure was about to begin.
If there’s one thing I’ve always dreaded—and likely always will—it’s the never-ending drive through LA. Someone once said that in Europe, you can drive two hours and cross multiple countries, but in LA, two hours of driving often just means you’re still in LA. It’s so true. But to reach my beloved mountains, there was no escaping the maze of multi-lane highways cutting through the city. So, I resigned myself to the journey, merging into the flow of traffic, trying not to overthink it, and doing my best to ignore the speeding cars flying past.
As the miles ticked by, the six-lane freeway shrank to four, then two, and the traffic finally thinned out. I was now driving through the Central Valley, hugging the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The change from our coastal home was stark—no light pollution, no traffic, just the vastness of the desert and a sweltering 95ºF (35ºC) even after sunset. The road stretched on endlessly, broken only by tiny, forgotten towns that dotted the barren landscape. Two signs caught my attention: one pointing to the Mojave National Preserve, the other to Death Valley. Both are destinations I’ll definitely explore—when they aren’t scorching under the desert sun.
Highway 395 is famous for its stunning beauty, where the arid desert valley meets the towering peaks of the Sierra Nevada. But as I drove through the night, that beauty was hidden in darkness. The narrow beam of my headlights barely illuminated the shrubs lining the road, leaving the rest of the landscape a mystery. Though I tried not to dwell on the long journey home, I knew that on the return trip, bathed in daylight, this drive would reveal its breathtaking scenery.
After hours of driving on seemingly endless flat roads, the turn toward the mountains finally appeared. I was eager to leave the monotony behind and ascend the narrow road ahead, curious about what lay beyond the darkness. A caution sign led me onto a long, one-lane road lined with tall, yellow flowers swaying gently in the night air. It was already 11:30, and with no traffic in sight, I took my time, savoring the change in scenery. A bit further, a sign for lavender fields caught my eye—definitely a spot to explore on a future trip. But then, the strangest sign appeared: “Rocks will be collected every morning at 8 a.m.” Puzzled, I continued driving, soon realizing why it was there. The road wound through washed-out canyons, with rockslides scattered along the way.
Darkness engulfed the left side of the road while steep cliffs loomed on the right as I wound my way up the mountains. I could only imagine how breathtaking this drive would be in daylight. CarPlay faithfully guided me through a series of sharp switchbacks, constantly urging me to “Return to the route,” as if I had any intention of going off-road in these treacherous conditions! As the road twisted deeper into the mountains, I lost all connection to the outside world—a disconnection that would last until I descended this adventurous route days later. There’s something incredibly liberating about being entirely off the grid, away from social media, the news, and all the noise that comes with being online. My Garmin inReach Mini would keep my family informed of my whereabouts, but for the next few days, I was blissfully unreachable, fully immersed in the wild beauty surrounding me.
To my surprise, I didn’t have to tackle any dirt roads to reach my destination. The paved road carried me all the way to the trailhead’s expansive parking lot. After climbing from 300 feet (90 meters) to 10,000 feet (3000 meters) in under five hours, I finally arrived. The cool mountain air embraced me, and exhaustion began to set in, but excitement kept me awake—I had reached the place I’d dreamed of for months. This location had fueled my motivation through the challenges of moving and settling into our new home. Now, the adventure I’d longed for could finally begin. What secrets would these mountains reveal? How would they welcome me? I couldn’t wait to strap on my backpack and set off toward the Cottonwood Lakes, eager to discover the journey ahead.
“Over every mountain there is a path, although it may not be seen from the valley.”
– Theodore Roethke
And so, my video journey begins! I hope you join me for all three parts as this adventure unfolds high up in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.