As a special send off trip for our friend joining the California Conservation Corps, we head to our favorite National Park, the wild & wonderful Kings Canyon.
While we wait for the rest of our caravan to arrive we lay back upon some granite & begin to watch the Perseids Meteor Shower.
A couple of hours later the rest of our comrades arrive. Once we set up camp we return to some stargazing.
We reminisced for hours under the starry skies, soaking in every last moment with our soon-to-be-gone amigo.
We opt for only a couple hours of sleep to maximize our time, once again returning to the common banter so frequent on a camptrip with both long-time & new friends.
Morning routines completed, we head off to a popular classic, Hume Lake.
A mix of pine & Giant Sequoia logs create the perfect floatation devices. We'll revisit this in a bit!
To avoid the summer crowds, we head up the creek to our own secluded spot among the gentle cascades.
The water level was absolutely perfect for a natural slip n' slide!
Like kids at a water park we slid down countless times.
Interspersed deep pools provided a jacuzzi sized tub of refreshing mountain water.
And the perfect opportunity for some nature modeling.
Downstream we venture to the lake & clamor onto a massive Giant Sequoia log!
We play around trying to rock the log just enough to knock everyone else off to remain the last one standing. Funny how the best of times, often revolve around the simplest of games.
Sadly, this is where we had to part ways with our fellow comrade for a year. This misadventure was a great way to say good-bye.
Looking to reignite some stoke, we drive deep into Kings Canyon to a raging waterfall.
Cowabunga! After scouting it out, we decide to brave the turbulent waters.
Jump after jump, we leap into the icy waters amid the torrent sound of the falls.
Once again like kid's at a waterpark, we lose ourselves in this mountainous paradise.
Deciding to dry off & do some terrestrial exploring, we cross a rusty historic bridge further into the canyon towards a magnificent meadow.
Like a small lake of green, the pine-rimmed meadow sets a stage for a giant granite dome, standing like a lone fortress.
Scattered around the meadow a field of massive boulders creates a maze of short cave-like passages.
Determined to see the detail of the meadow up close, we stride on until we reach a clearing in the boulder field.
What looks like merely grass from afar is actually a mixed assemblage of ferns & other classic mountain flora.
Not opposed to occasional (perhaps frequent) jokes our hike mixes the splendor of natural scenery with the indescribable joy companionship provides.
This is the type of place where watching grass grow isn't mundane.
As the wind picks up each blade sways in rhythm.
Some people seem to think hiking is just "walking around", but its really a lot more when done right.
Granite Domes + Pine Trees + Winding Rivers = Classic Sierra Nevada views
In typical fashion, we stop along the road back to camp to observe some more natural splendor.
Pretty easy to see why.
Back at Bandit Camp, we spark up a fire to both cook & keep ourselves warm.
The Milky Way dances across the sky as the fire lights up some nearby boulders.
Sunrise brings with it a sleepy realization of how sufficiently worn out the prior day's misadventures made us.
Gathered 'round the fire, we tiredly discuss our action plan for the last couple of hours for our camptrip.
In classic fashion, the lichen-covered bouldering rock outside our tent doors motivates us to overcome our sleepy hesitation.
For a final short hike, we head to the towering 2,000 year old giant trees in Grant Grove.
An old cabin from an 1800's rancher remains as a reminder that these mountains weren't always a National Park.
Needing to return to civilization for another week of societal obligations, we admire one last glimpse of these titan trees before beginning our 6-hour trip home.