Months ago, I invited several of my coworkers on a backpacking trip. The trip was scheduled well in advance and was mainly to give Chip a goal to shoot for as part of his, "get in shape and lose weight initiative." As we got closer and closer to the trip date, one by one each person flaked out due to the fact that each of their wives keeps they're nuts in a small bowl on the family coffee table. In the mean time, my friend Rick had heard where we were going and he asked to join us. The lack of global testicular fortitude not withstanding, Andra and I knew we'd really enjoy this very scenic area.

We met Rick at 7:30am at Sunrise and HWY 50, and headed into the hills. The map below shows the area we were headed to. This area is near the Mammoth Lakes Ski area. In fact, we must park at the ski resort and take the mandatory shuttle to the trailhead.