Early plannings of a trip to the wilderness

I have technically graduated from college already. Only one class stands between me and freedom. I intend to take hold of that freedom and hold it in a suffocating embrace this summer and enjoy some care-free travel in the American west. People tell me to go to Europe, but that’s not for me. I want some clean mountain air and the wilderness. In the words of John Muir, “The mountains are calling and I must go.”

But go where? There are so many options. Road trip through the “golden circle” of national parks that are strung together like jewels on a necklace left strewn on a table. Spend the summer in Yellowstone seeing our nations first and likely greatest national park. Or, do I backpack the John Muir Trail in the Sierra Nevadas?

I love the Sierras. I love Utah too and would probably be quite fond of Wyoming, but I still really love the Sierras. This mountain range helped inspire Teddy Roosevelt and Gifford Pinchot to start the Forest Service and the National Parks service. Yosemite it one of my favorite places on earth, but I hate bustling with fat tourists to see the valley floor.

I’ve been wanting to start backpacking for a while, but haven’t gotten around to doing it. Then, a few weeks ago I was in the local book store when a book just jumped out at me. It was “A Walk in the Woods” by Bill Bryson. Instinctively I picked it up, almost buying it without even reading the back. Thus I dove into the story of a middle aged man living in Massachussets who one day decides to hike the Appalachian Trails… all 2,100 some-odd miles of it. With practically no backpacking experience he and a long-lost, out of shape friend embark on the lengthy trek from Georgia to Maine. It didn’t take more than one chapter for me to declare “if they can do it– I can do it!”.

I instantly thought of John Muir, 211 miles of trail meandering through Yosemite National Park, Ansel Adams Wilderness, John Muir Wilderness, Kings Canyon National Park and finally it wanders into Sequoia National Park. It takes three weeks to do, but you see a part of California that for many people is turned into a waddle out of the car for a snap shot before getting a burger at the Ahwahnee hotel.

No matter where my summer ends up taking me, backpacking will likely be a part of it. I’m in the process now of researching. In March I plan on taking my first trip with REI to Joshua Tree. A roommate is planning a trip up Half Dome in spring as well (16 miles, two days) that I am eager to embark on. If not this summer, I hope that one summer I make the John Muir Trail.

I will update this from time to time as a sort of diary on my path to freedom.

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