High Sierra Backcountry

dereksurfs

Just returned from a backpack trip into the High Country of Yosemite. I can confirm that flowers still in bloom. It was gorgeous out. Took my 10 y/o son out there for his first backpack trip in the Sierra. We had a great time.

BBiggs

You have some very nice shots here! I really like #2, the composition with the tent and stars looks great! The last one is really nice as well!!!

choudhrysaab

nice shots - #3 looks like you have "selective coloring" but it really isn't. very well captured!

cbbr

Great set! #2 & 3 are just fantastic.

System

Awesome shots! I really like 3&4

Andy

Very nice! Looks familiar, where were you?

kdog

Very nice shots, Derek. The illuminated peak on #3 is a real eye catcher. I'd love to know how you motivate a 10 y/o to go backpacking. I can barely get my two 10 y/o's out for a day hike, and even then they're whining half the time. Congrats on what looks like a great trip.

Cheers,
-joel

dereksurfs

Andy wrote: »

Very nice! Looks familiar, where were you?

Thanks Andy,

This is the Young Lakes trail out of Tuolome Meadows. Its ~ 6.5 miles to the lower lake at 10K elevation.

Islandcrow

Love the night shot!

dereksurfs

kdog wrote: »

Very nice shots, Derek. The illuminated peak on #3 is a real eye catcher. I'd love to know how you motivate a 10 y/o to go backpacking. I can barely get my two 10 y/o's out for a day hike, and even then they're whining half the time. Congrats on what looks like a great trip.

Cheers,
-joel

Hey Joel,

Good to see you over here on dgrin! Honestly I've been draggin' em along on hikes since before they could walk via backpack carriers, etc... But my oldest son is naturally more self-motivated and interested than my younger girls to do the rigerous hikes/backpacks. He's the one that wants to go higher and further than anyone else typically. There's something about the challenge that gives him a charge.

With some coaxing I can get all three of them, the youngest included to do some pretty rigerous hiking in Big Sur. Here's one of our favorites at Garrapta's Rocky Ridge trail:

http://www.redwoodhikes.com/Big%20Sur/Garrapata.html

It's really steep climbing from the road below but with beautiful views which make it worth it. I think my 5 y/o daughter at the time was the yougest to climb up to the bench overlook.





Taking plenty of little breaks with them is key along with a big dose of patience.

kdog

Awesome shots! That looks like a great park, maybe that'll be our next outing. I had the kids out at Castle Rock State Park today and we hiked about 5 miles. They had a grand time playing on the rocks, scared me a few times. . I probably could improve on the patience department too. :uhoh

dereksurfs

kdog wrote: »

Awesome shots! That looks like a great park, maybe that'll be our next outing. I had the kids out at Castle Rock State Park today and we hiked about 5 miles. They had a grand time playing on the rocks, scared me a few times. . I probably could improve on the patience department too. :uhoh

Garrapta is actually a place you will come back to for a variety of great photo ops with and without the kiddos. It's an epic loation for seascape scenery, especially in the winter when the waves are large! But it can get very dangerous. So be careful if you come down then. Contact me beforehand if you want and I can give a local's inside scoop.

kdog

Wow, now we're talkin'. :wow

redleash

Wonderful shots-really like the star shot with the tent. Looks like lots of fun with your kids.

zoomer

Looks like a fun trip.
My favorite is the last shot of the lake.

Hikin' Mike

dereksurfs wrote: »

Thanks Andy,

This is the Young Lakes trail out of Tuolome Meadows. Its ~ 6.5 miles to the lower lake at 10K elevation.

Young Lakes is one of my favorite spots, when I was able to backpack.

Did you get to the other lakes?

Mathieu05

You've got a lot amazing pictures Derek! love those pics of your kids... Good thing you've got to spend so much time with them, coz they grow up so fast. I hope you can spare me some Patience as well need that for my kids too.

SteveF

Andy wrote: »

Very nice! Looks familiar, where were you?

Boy - that's exactly what I thought....

Nice pics. I spent some time near there a few weeks back climbing Mt. Whitney - love being up in the Sierras.

jeremy_daniel

Derek,

Great shots and great area to explore and backpack and photograph. I really love #2 and #3 both well done!

dereksurfs

Hikin' Mike wrote: »

Young Lakes is one of my favorite spots, when I was able to backpack.

Did you get to the other lakes?

Mike, we headed up to the upper Young lakes as well. But we didn't venture beyond that point. There was plenty to keep us occupied, especially on a first trip. What a beautiful location off the beaten path. Most folks were headed in the other direction south toward Cathedral Peak and lakes which also decends into the Valley.

I really like your website BTW, and found your travelogue helpful.


Thanks,

Hikin' Mike

dereksurfs wrote: »

Mike, we headed up to the upper Young lakes as well. But we didn't venture beyond that point. There was plenty to keep us occupied, especially on a first trip. What a beautiful location off the beaten path. Most folks were headed in the other direction south toward Cathedral Peak and lakes which also decends into the Valley.

I really like your website BTW, and found your travelogue helpful.


Thanks,

I think I've been there about 5 times!

Glad you enjoyed my other site. I just wish I was "into" photography when I could backpack...!

KerrBear

I think #1 is awesome! That stream is so beautiful.