McGee Creek suffering

[Paul Wagner]

We just got back from a few days in the Sierra, and it wasn’t all roses.  We’re recovered from a bout with COVID, more or less, but it turns out that hiking up to 10,000 feet may be more than we were ready for. We made it, but that’s about it.

McGee Creek, on the east side of the Sierra near Lake Crowley, lived up to its billing as a beautiful area.  And we dodged the smoke of the Oak Fire thanks to some favorable winds and the fact that they started to make some real progress against the fire.

But we were struggling on a hike that shouldn’t have been that hard.  And I managed to drop a Sawyer bladder full of water, which burst it open. That made for some interesting duct tape solutions before we could filter any water. And the skies opened up and poured on us. That was the first day, which included the longest two miles we’ve ever hiked.

Other than that, it was a great trip. We did get some good photos…

If you are interested, a link to the photos, and the whole trip report with the gory details, is here: https://www.backpackthesierra.com/post/shaken-by-a-shake-down

[Bruce Tolley]

OK. So it was the humans who were suffering. I thought you were going to tell us that McGee Creek was suffering which IMO is a wonderful Eastern Sierra location with classic Great Basin beauty.  And after the hike, you can go to Convict Lake and dine on prime rib.

[Dan]

I can relate, Paul. After a week of COVID and two more weeks of inactivity due to constant coughing fits, I was apprehensive about doing a backpacking trip, but I didn’t want to let the disease steal my entire summer. I went slowly, and it was tolerable. I posted some photos in my trip report.

[Bonzo]

I had similar issues for a few months after getting a bad chest cold.  Every time I went out, I thought I was recovered from it…but despite feeling fine in the beginning, the least bit of exertion seemed to just end me.  It was like I suddenly had 1% battery, and no way to recharge.  Took me almost a year to fully get past it; I would imagine Covid to be either analogous or worse… so, good for you for making it, and best wishes on continued recovery.

[Alex Wallace]

Nice pics! I wasn’t so lucky with smoke from the Oak Fire, which started while I was out exploring in the Cathedral Range, and had to cut my trip short.

[Author]

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