Hiking in the Sierra Nevadas (Toiyable National Forest)

 Right off our trip to Mexico, Bryson and I fly from Cancun to LAX, see Rob and my mom for a night, and pick-up Scarlet then the next morning fly to Reno. It’s Burning Man time!

But this is Alex and we have a couple days before the event starts. Not to waste an opportunity for an adventure, we head to Tahoe for some stand up paddling (this is frigid water compared to the sauna and bath-like water that is Cancun and Playa del Carmen). The next morning, we begin our back country hike to the Sierra Nevadas.

Gone are the days of Alex and I schlepping all of our family’s stuff – which is why we opted for canoe trips when the kids were young.  We decide that for this 5 day 4 night hike, we would all have backpacks. Scarlet is 7 after all. That’s old enough, right?

Alex gives us a pack list, “You can each bring 1 extra underwear.”

Bryson, “No prob for me. I probably won’t change for the entire 5 days.” (I’m a bit grossed out but not surprised).

Alex, “Me neither!” (Again, I’m grossed out but not surprised).

Scarlet though has a different reaction, “I want to change everyday!”

Alex, “You’ll need to carry everything you bring.”

Scarlet, “Ok, then I guess just one.” (TBH, I did bring an extra for myself, but I did carry it too!)

Alex before we leave to Scarlet, “No food on your clothes! The bears will smell it and get in our tent.”

Scarlet, “What?!”

Alex, “Right, no food, toothpaste, or anything scented.”

Scarlet, “Um, ok…”

Good thing Alex didn’t tell her (or the rest of us) that we would have 2,500 elevation gain, that we would be climbing boulders, drinking from the frigid water straight up, battling mosquitoes, and that there was a chance of getting elevation sickness. Poor Scarlet got hit with altitude sickness, a fever, a big sore throat, and about three dozen bug bites. She ended up collapsing under a big boulder and falling asleep.

After our 5 days, we were ready for Burning Man… here we go!

Just landed into Reno and immediately head to Tahoe for stand up paddling. Colder and bigger waves than planned - Bryson probably fell in 10 times!

After a night at a hotel, we head to the Sierra Nevadas (Horse Creek Canyon) for our 5-day hike. You can see it here - it's the snowy part.

I have the biggest pack though Alex's is much heavier. Then Bryson and Scarlet's...

We will climb to the top of that.

Huge pine trees.

We camp near this boulder, perfect rock for star gazing, having meals, and also staying clear of mosquitoes.

Time for nature baseball with sticks for bats and acorns and rocks for balls.

Bouldering - not easy!

Hitting our first snow. The kids decide to go sledding.

We spent hours climbing this boulder field. No path and slippery rocks.

Making it to the top!

Bryson wanted to swim in a lake. But the snowy conditions had him think twice.

Hummingbirds everywhere.

Scarlet passes out due to altitude sickness.

Bryson uses this as an opportunity to go sledding.

Who had chocolate? Not me!

Yay! A hotel with a pool.

Alex's photos

After our 5 days, we were ready for Burning Man… here we go!