The hard days were over and we took our time packing up in the morning. As soon as the sun rose enough to hit out campsite, however, we started moving…
On one of my earliest backpacking trips I had a view of the Sphinx rock formation. When I got home, I eagerly Googled it and discovered trip reports about the off-trail…
On day 6 we continued our cross-country travel over Cinder Col, through Brewer Basin, and over Sphinx Pass. It was probably both the most challenging and most enjoyable day of the trip. It…
After our long day on Mt Brewer we decided to take a partial rest day on Day 4. Well, we didn't decide that right away. We followed the fading use trail…
Our Circle of Solitude Variation was essentially a big loop around Mt Brewer, so I knew I had to include a climb of that peak somewhere along our route. There are…
Although our loop includes the word "Solitude", it did not start off that way. The Eastern Sierra trailhead at Onion Valley is a popular one and it's difficult to mentally…
The Circle of Solitude in Kings Canyon National Park was first written about in Mike White's guidebook to Kings Canyon. He describes a loop around the Kings-Kern and Great Western Divides…
During last summer's two week peak bagging extravaganza, I took a few 'rest' days with easier peaks. On one of those days I decided to head up into the White…
Every time I drive south down highway 395 between June Lake and Mammoth, I am struck by the imposing face of Mount Morrison. A steep pyramid, it rises from the crest…