The Silver Lake fastpacking experiment

I finally got my ultra small neo-air sleeping pad, which means that I can now go backpacking with a large daypack (my sleeping bag and bivy are already the smallest and lightest available). So with my approximately ~25 pound backpacking load (that's including my heavy camera gear) we zipped up to Silver lake from Monte Cristo, which is a hike I've been meaning to do for quite a while. Too much snow to continue on to Twin lakes, which is supposed to be twice as gorgeous (har har). Maybe later...

Also, these were slated to be the two hottest days of the year so far, topping 90 on the west side here (craaaaazy). We were sweating bullets hiking up there, but the ice cold water was a treat.

Anyway, like the all the hikes in this area, the trail itself is both punishing and scenic.


Some crazy spires.


Poodle dog pass.... no idea why it's called that... must be something about those goofy turn of the century miners.


What in Tarn-ation!?!?


This was in fact, the only cloud in the sky.


I found some sweet quartz with pyrite in it right after I took this.


Ahh yes, night... respite from the heat at last.


Crazy spinning sky.


The galaxy.


The lake


This is one of those times when I whimsically bent over, set the camera on a rock (instead of pulling out the tripod) and took the picture. I didn't take any more because the first one turned out perfect.


Relics of a bygone era.


Road hike.


A panorama from the highest point I climbed (scouting the twin lakes trail).


The ultra trim backpacking system worked ok, but in the future there are things I won't skimp on, like the bear can.... but I'm excited for other trips this year... carry less, be happier.