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The Road Trip Day Five Justin Kernes Photography

The Road Trip Day 5: Shwackin' and Chillin'

April 10, 2018 in The Road Trip, personal project, travel
 

Sequoia National Park, California

May 11, 2015

 

 
 
Gotta find ways to warm up in chilly, subalpine mornings.

Gotta find ways to warm up in chilly, subalpine mornings.

Warm sunlight streamed in through our tent. Somehow, I managed to sleep until 8 a.m. Glorious.

I got dressed and found a few oatmeal and fig bars for breakfast

Today's objectives:
1) Relax.
2) Get (closer) to the car.

 
 

We scoured the rocky alpine landscape in search of a great view with some hammock-able trees.

 
 
Scouting out potential chill-spots.

Scouting out potential chill-spots.

 
 

Carter spotted a nice ledge about a quarter mile away. He had his hammock, Caleb had his Z-rest. I planned on finding a comfortable rock in the shade.

It was a nice spot.

 
 
He's gonna regret the sunburn.

He's gonna regret the sunburn.

 
 
Carter busting a fat chill.

Carter busting a fat chill.

 
 

Eventually, we snapped back to reality. Tomorrow's drive is going to be long; an early start will be a necessity. We needed to pack up camp and hike back toward the car.

Hiking downhill is a lot less work.

We made great time.

 

There was a quaint picnic area by the parking lot which seemed closed for the winter season. It looked like a great place for an easy impromptu campsite.

 
 
 
Stirring the pot; you don't want crunchies stuck to the bottom.

Stirring the pot; you don't want crunchies stuck to the bottom.

 
 
 
 

The three of us played a few games of cribbage. It seems like I'm losing more games than winning at this rate, but I did manage a 20-point hand. There was yelling.

Dinner was Santa Fe Chicken mixed with some fresh garlic and leftover cheddar cheese we found stashed in the car cooler.

Delicious.


With an empty parking lot and no one else around, we pumped the music a little louder than usual.

 
Yummy, crunchy.

Yummy, crunchy.

 
 
 

Bedtime came with the arrival of darkness.

No tent, it looked clear enough.

 
 
Hay bales provide more insulation than a wooden floor. Right?

Hay bales provide more insulation than a wooden floor. Right?

 
 

I tossed and turned the whole night. It was below freezing.
My hot water bottle didn't seem to do anything.

Wolverton Picnic Area at night.

Wolverton Picnic Area at night.


Hey, want a ride?

Turn it around:

Day 4

Stick your thumb out:

Day 6

Tags: Sequoia, National Park, Sequoia National Park, camping, backpacking, overnight, alpine, California, night, stars, hiking
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About the Blog

Justin Kernes at the northern terminus of the Pacific Crest Trail.

Justin Kernes is a photographer and writer who thrives in the great outdoors.

From 2010-2017, he worked in the backcountry at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico.

In 2018 “Tiny Slice” successfully thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail.


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