Scout Hike to Mummy's Toe

This past month, we went on a backpacking overnighter up in the mountains outside Vegas, to Mummy Mountain. Here are some pictures.







iPod twins--the only way to hike. I'm sure it was a nature sounds album.




The view before we got to the switchbacks.



The old bristlecone pines were gnarled and reddish in color. Don't know if this does them justice.






Mummy's Toe, where we were headed the next day.



More gnarly pines.



The Raintree, the 3,000 year old bristlecone pine we camped under for the night.



The view of Mummy's Toe in the morning.



Me, halfway into a "thumb's up"--proof that I made it to the top. For the record, I am in horrible shape. And Scout pants.



Jeff, our fearless guide; his daughter, Emily; and Kurt--the guy who stayed in the back with me.



Scout.



Happy Scout.



Another Scout.

The hike was three miles with loaded packs to the Raintree, then we slept overnight. The next morning, we went without packs the two miles to the top, two miles back to our packs, and then three miles back to our cars with packs. I was exhausted--the downhill was far worse than the uphill, and my thighs, knees, and toes were extremely tired from the repeated pounding and trying to stop my weight on the downhill climb. I bought some old ski poles at a thrift store for hiking poles, and they were great to have along for support and to keep me from stumbling. And, by the time I got to the car, I determined that if I would have had to go another half mile, it might have been the end of me.

Maybe that's overly dramatic. But I was beat.