Grizzly Lake, Trinity Alps

The perfect destination for the alpine adventurist, Northern California’s Trinity Alps can be rfoot vertical rock face. The view from the meadow is to die for, but save the dying part for after the sketchy scramble to get to the lake. Once you gain the large talus mountain, the lake is tucked in a bowl with Thompson Peak (at 9,001ft, the tallest mountain in the Trinity Alps) looming in the background. The frozen lake, craggy peak and vast snow field makes Grizzly Lake an excellent backpacking destination in the early summer months.

One of the best parts? Seeing zero people. Maybe it’s the giant rattlesnakes that keep people away. Maybe it’s the class 3 scramble to the top. Either way, if you’re tough enough to make it, it’s well worth the trip.

What I Used:

Big Agnes Horse Thief SL 35 $370, bigagnes.com

This sleeping bag was a joy to carry. The ability to compress in my pack was awesome. I like how light and compatible this sleeping bag is, but I did not like the fact that it did not have a hood. The hood keeps your head warm, which helps keep the rest of the body warm. Honestly, because of the lack of hood, I would not purchase this sleeping bag. Even though the rating is only 35, I stayed plenty warm with a fleece liner when the temps got down in the 20s at night. Great summer choice.

MSR Deploy TR-2 Trekking Pole $140, cascadedesigns.com

This pole is made for kings. I love the look, easy adjustability, bomber strength and the light weight design. The pole doesn’t collapse as much as some “light” backpacking poles but it is still a high-end backcountry companion which thrives in the alpine settings. The greatest feature is the one-handed, Trigger Release adjustment system, allowing for easy adjustments when the terrain changes. I was sold on the adjustment system, grip, style, and durability of the product.

Thermarest NeoAir XTherm $190, cascadedesigns.com

When you are in the backcountry, sleep is top priority when it comes to recharging for the next big adventure. The NeoAir XTherm was comfortable, light and very compact. It also makes a great vessel for floating in a lake or river of choice. The only concern I had was the width. The pad is very narrow, shaped like a mummy sleeping bag, which is beautiful for backpacking. However, If you are used to a Cadillac, a Ferrari feels a bit tight. Backpacking. Specific. Resting. Tool. Perfect!