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08.2.07

High Country Comforts

Can you get deep into the wilderness and still sleep with a roof over your head? You bet! Recharge your batteries at these three High Sierra retreats.

Sierra Style

When you want to escape the windshield tourists of Yosemite's valley floor, hike into the secluded elevations of the park's High Sierra camps. Set in a spectacular and less-visited part of the park, these five backcountry getaways provide canvas tent cabins with dorm-style beds. Friendly staffers at each site cook a fresh breakfast (French toast, anyone?) and dinner each day (Saturdays are filet mignon). They prepare boxed lunches for the trail, too. Without the weight of a tent and food, you'll have plenty of energy for high-air explorations. We suggest the majestic alpine setting of the 10,300-foot Vogelsang camp. There you can gear down and day-trip to inspired views at Vogelsang Pass, or circle the bright-blue waters of Evelyn Lake. Back at camp, relax over dinner and make new friends as you swap stories from the day. As the night deepens, sit back in awe at the Milky Way's all-star show. You'll have the best seats in the park.

BONUS: For a very civilized backpacking expedition, you can make a loop circuit of all five camps. But you have to coordinate bookings, so plan well in advance.

A reservation lottery system is in place for the camps, but there are a number of openings from now until the end of summer. Click here for reservations, or call 559-253-5674. The cost is $136 per person for meals and lodging. Bring your own towels and sleeping gear. And remember, this is the high country, so pack plenty of layers (hats, gloves, etc.).

Activity
Hike, Overnights
Region
Points Beyond
Robbs Hut

Robbs Reward

Spending the night on a Sierra peak is easier than you might think. Originally used as a fire lookout station, Robbs Hut is now available to the general public as a mountaintop hideaway. Set at 6,686 feet in the Eldorado National Forest, and about 20 miles west of Lake Tahoe, the hut is easily accessed by car during summer months. Upon arrival, get ready to rough it: there's no electricity or running water, and you'll cook your meals on a propane stove. Still, the hut is cozy and rustic, with two basic rooms and three sleeping platforms, plus a fire ring and a picnic table. And the view? A 360-degree panaroma from the soaring crags of the Crystal Range to the Sacramento Valley. Mountain biking and swimming opportunities abound when conditions permit. Weekend reservations are tough, sometimes requiring 180 days' advance notice, so weeknight stays are your best bet. Alternatively, the true north strong and brave can venture a visit in winter. Once the snow has fallen, you can ski or snowshoe a 1,000-foot elevation gain over the course of 3 miles to access the hut. If you're up for the challenge, the quiet solitude and snow-covered landscapes are otherworldly—and there's a good chance you'll have this winter wonderland entirely to yourself.

Before making this trip, you must contact the Pacific Ranger District to arrange backcountry permits and get updated information regarding access, check-in, and conditions. It can be reached at 530-647-5415. For more information and seasonal directions, read this online packet. To make reservations, click here. The cost is $45 per night, for up to six people.

Activity
Relax, Overnights, Winter
Region
Points Beyond
Mineral King Sequoia National Park

Sequoia's King

Sequoia is the oldest national park in California—and it's among the least visited. In a remote setting at the park's southern tip, Mineral King is a subalpine valley that will absolutely knock your boots off. We recommend base camping in the rustic cabins at Silver City Resort (which is neither a city nor a resort). You'll drive 25 miles up a snaky road, which is listed in the National Historic Register, deep into the heart of the southern Sierra. From there the serrated peaks and high-alpine lakes of Mineral King await. While day hikes around here are not for the faint of heart—many range between 7 and 10 miles, with altitude gains of 1,700 to 2,200 feet—they're undoubtedly worth the effort. The 3.4-mile (one way) trail to Eagle Lake will reward you with unimpeded views of granite peaks shooting from the timberline; then cool off with a swim across the crisp, clear waters to a tiny island in the middle of the lake. Less ambitious hikers can wander the Farewell Gap Trail through gentler, wildflower-laden terrain in the Mineral King Valley, or relax by Mineral King Stream with a good book. At day's end, decompress with a home-cooked meal at Silver City's onsite restaurant, and be sure to have a whopping slice of its Fruits of the Forest pie. We couldn't keep the secret any longer: escape the city and live like a king!


Silver City offers three levels of cabins: Swiss Chalet, Comfy, and Rustic. Your best bet for a stay this summer is in a Rustic cabin. These come furnished with beds, basic camp kitchens, kerosene lamps, and fireplaces. Rates start at $85 per night. For more information about Silver City Resort and directions, click here, or call 559-561-3223.

Activity
Hike, Overnights
Region
Points Beyond
Patagonia Huckleberry

Week 7: Best Foot Forward

Patagonia has teamed up with Weekend Sherpa to talk about initiatives they support, activities they love, and clothes they dig.


When you're getting your mountain fix this summer, there's a new way to be eco-friendly on the trails. Patagonia's sturdy and supportive Huckleberry hiking shoe has a Vibram Ecostep outsole that's made from 30% recycled rubber—perfect for gripping granite rock slabs in the Sierras or just kicking back around the camp. Wherever you walk, scramble, ramble or hike, the tough edges on the outsole will keep you in good traction. And when you're back in the city, their green good looks will put your best foot forward.

Available at these Patagonia stores:

Patagonia San Francisco, 770 North Point St., San Francisco; 415-771-2050.
Patagonia Palo Alto, 525 Alma St., Palo Alto; 650-329-8556.
Patagonia Outlet Santa Cruz, 415 River St. #C, Santa Cruz; 831-423-1776.

Miss a week? Click here to see an archive of Patagonia's 12 Weeks of Summer.

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