United States

DAY 1: We started at High Sierra trailhead, toward Bearpaw Campground, and camped at 9 mile campground (9 miles from the trailhead). The road up to the trailhead is about 1 hour long and very twisty. So if you easily get car sick (like me), prepare for that. Having said that, the views are BEAUTIFUL as you start getting up into the trees. You will know that you are close when you hit the gigantic tree tunnel that you can drive your car through! Many tourists are stopped here to take pictures. We arrived at the parking lot, made sandwiches for lunch, threw any extra food in the bear lockers, and headed off!

High Sierra Trailhead

9 MILE CAMPGROUND: We were thinking of camping at Bearpaw but by the time we hit 9 miles, we were SO tired and our backs killed (we packed way to much), so it was a perfect place to stop. You will know you hit 9 mile campground because you will see a big bear locker. The site is so beautiful. We made a little fire, found a watering hole, made our backpacking dinners, and shared stories from the day. The watering hole was freezing but so healing to our sore feet!  It got a bit chilly at night so make sure to pack warm clothes and a warm sleeping bag.

Bearpaw High Sierra Camp

DAY 2: We decided to hike to Hamilton Lake, which was 6 miles from the campground. We didn't need to bring our packs, cause we would be sleeping there again that night! It still took us about 4 hours to get there. The elevation is high and the mountains uphills do not mess around! When we finally arrived at Hamilton, it was SO worth it. Oh my gosh. I have never been anywhere more beautiful. Because it is 15 miles out in the middle of no where, it is in perfect condition and not crowded at all. We swam, laid on the rocks, ate lunch, and took naps in the sun.  We also met a group there that came to fish for a couple of days. We headed back down the mountain to make it before dark. On our way back, we saw a BEAR! It was a teenager bear. It was the coolest thing EVER. It was picking at some food, and then ran away.

BACKPACKING SEQUOIA NATIONAL FOREST

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