#middleforktrail

G’morning

There’s only one more view to share after this (footpath of the Middle Fork Trail when it was clear of debri) from my short backpacking trip in the Sequoia foothills December, 2019: afterwards it was all rain. For some reason, I tried to skip on stones across one of the many creek crossings (why? I was already wet?) and I fell, hard, on my right inner knee – which popped. It’s never been 100% since, and I’m sure it was a minor MCL injury. I did the thing where you just sit as you assess how bad you are hurt – unfortunately for me this was both in the rain and kinda in the creek, lol! I did not have fun on this trip: not all adventures are full of smiles. Ticks, trails covered with downed brush (much harder to cross than a tree), pack was too heavy (unnecessary winter gear), and then limping out with a hurt knee and sloshing in wet shoes (from submerging during the fall then pouting afterwards - what a pathetic sight that must have been). UG! #goodtimes #hikingtrail #hiking #nature #middleforktrail #backpacking #sequoianationalpark #sierranevada #california https://www.instagram.com/p/CKhc5U-ADPC/?igshid=1fff96jds7zdu

Another view of Castle Rocks North from the Middle Fork trail the weekend before Christmas, 2019. It was weird backpacking in the foothills surrounded by dry brush instead of in the mountains where I wanted to be. #backpacking #mountains #sequoianationalpark #middleforktrail #sierranevada #california #hikingtrail #nature #landscape https://www.instagram.com/p/CKMvTgKgyTg/?igshid=k0wgnd074bm8

Finally made it to the actual Middle Fork Trailhead! The extra miles on roads isn’t ever welcome, but fairly standard for winter. I was about to really dislike this trail, though, lol: foothills isn’t exactly mountains. I even have a selfie of my smiling – cute and innocent! Christmas break, 2019. #hiking #hikingtrail #sequoianationalpark #middleforktrail #backpacking #trailhead #mountains #nature #landscape #whyihike https://www.instagram.com/p/CKJ8iosAeSL/?igshid=1kvs0w2q7abh4