The Wilderness Journals

The lower Piute Pass trail near North Lake is built for hikers and mules. My brother and I are hiking out today driving up to Reno, where I catch an early morning flight back east and my brother drives up to Oregon. It’s been a great 14 day wilderness experience.

Mt. Thoreau near Piute Pass. John Muir Wilderness, Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA  Photo by Van MIller

I met my brother at Upper Piute lake, just below the pass. He’d pulled his groin on Day 3 of our 14 day trip, so we split up. He’s been taking it easy doing short hikes in beautiful country. John Muir Wilderness, Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA  Photo by Van MIller

There’s still smoke in the air.  When I reached trail’s end, I learned that the source was the Shafer fire, which went wild and closed down backcountry access. John Muir Wilderness, Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA  Photo by Van Miller

Wilderness civilization. John Muir Wilderness, Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA  Photo by Van Miller

Beautiful conifer forest trail. John Muir Wilderness, Sierra Nevada Mountails, Californiia, USA  Photo by Van MIller

Heading over Piute Pass today to meet up with my brother. Easy hiking on a well worn trail. John Muir Wilderness, Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA  Photo by Van Miller

Morning near Huchinson Meadow. John Muir Wilderness, Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA. Photo by Van Miller

Dawn. Hutchinson Meadow, John Muir Wilderness, Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA  Photo by Van Miller

Piute Creek, Hutchinson Meadow, John Muir Wilderness, Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA  Photo by Van Miller

View of the entrance to Pinnacles Lakes Basin from my camp at Hutchinson Meadow. John Muir Wilderness, Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA  Photo by Van Miller

Mule jawbone. John Muir Wilderness, Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA  Photo by Van Miller

A stack of pancakes. Hutchinson Meadows, John Muir Wilderness, Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA  Photo by Van Miller

Piute Creek, Hutchinson Meadow, John Muir Wilderness, Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA  Photo by Van Miller

Into the forest. John Muir Wilderness, Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA  Photo by Van Miller

Heading to Hutchinson Meadows at the base of Pine Knob, an easy descent. John Muir Wilderness, Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA  Photo by Van Miller

Following the natural contours, avoiding talus, and enjoying the smooth granite. John Muir Wilderness, Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA  Photo by Van Miller