Weather for Half Moon Lake area where I will be backpacking
Trail Conditions in the Desolation Wilderness.
I am concerned the "spring conditions" means it may be hard to find a campsite that is not muddy and that I will be assaulted endlessly by mosquitoes. However, such is life.
Gilmore Lake, Half Moon Lake trail junctions
It is good to know that the trails are well marked. There is very little chance of me getting lost. I do not plan to go cross country and off the trail.
Spring Conditions, from the US Forest Service.
Link to a book on Google Books with a ton of helpful information
Park Watch-Hiking Opens up at Desolation Wilderness
Desolation is a word that sounds beautiful and melancholy to me. I'd be lying if I did not confess that 50% of the reason I chose this place for my first solo Sierra trek was the poetic name. God knows, the whole reason I am doing this trip solo is because I am single this summer. My past backpacking experience was with ex-boyfriends. None of my girl friends are into backpacking. I am not the kind of person who will let a small detail such as not having a boyfriend stop me from doing an activity that I want to do.
The second half of the reason is a combination of the beautiful mountain scenery and that it is described as "moderately crowded," meaning my chances of getting lost/injured and no one ever finding me are much lower than more secluded locales. I most certainly do not have a death wish.
The original inspiration for this hike came from Backpacking California by the Wilderness Press. I checked the book out from the library last summer and again in the spring. Eventually, I just decided to buy it from Amazon. I started out with the plan to do hike #61, Glen Alpine to Half Moon Lake. Since this trail is listed as only 10 miles, out and back, and meant for 1 night, I decided to add onto it. I plan on spending the first night at Half Moon Lake, but then I will head s over to Lake Aloha and then up to Gilmore Lake for nights 2 and 3. If I am going to spend $90 in gas to drive to Tahoe, then I am going to spend more than 2 days and one night there! Especially since I will not be skiing!
I have high hopes that this will be a beautiful and gorgeous trip. I will have to face some fears, such as being in a place where bears live (by myself,) fording possibly sketchy streams alone, and assault by insects. I am preparing as much as possible. I will be carrying my food in a bear canister so that I do not have to stress about hanging food properly (even though bear canisters are not required, they are recommended.) I have a pair of ultralight tennis shoes to ford the creeks in and will be bring trekking poles. I bought a mosquito net to wear over my hat that makes me look like queen of the dorks and of course, the 100% bottle of DEET will be used liberally.
I can not wait. All I have to do now is prepare the freezer bag meals and finish packing....
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