Ahoy, my trailname is Flamingo.
Here are links to my favorite trip reports from the Sierra Nevada.
Hike your own hike!
Contact me on Instagram: @dr_vhs
(c) Victor Hanson-Smith 2021.
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Ahoy, my trailname is Flamingo.
Contact me on Instagram: @dr_vhs (c) Victor Hanson-Smith 2021. |
 Three Passes High RouteAnsel Adams Wilderness & Yosemite National ParkA mostly off-trail high route connecting the headwaters of the San Joaquin, Merced, and Tuolumne Rivers. It links North Glacier Pass, Blue Lake Pass, and Parsons Peak, along with four other minor passes -- June 2021. |
Red, White, and Blue LoopJohn Muir WildernessA mostly off-trail circumnavigation of Red & White Mountain, including a section of Roper's SHR. Along the way, we climbed Red Slate Mountain and linked McGee Pass, Shout-of-Relief Pass, Bighorn Pass, and Hopkins Pass -- July 2020. |
Big Brewer LoopSEKI National ParkA mostly off-trail circuit over Sphinx Col and Longley Pass. Along the way I climbed Mount Brewer's south face -- September 2018 |
 Along the Monarch CrestSEKI National ParkMy favorite section of Roper's Sierra High Route, from Kanawyers to Lakes Basin. I connected this -- August 2020. |
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 Scimitar-Jigsaw LoopSEKI National ParkA 6-day circumnavigation of the Palisades, linking two challengning high passes: Scimitar and Jigsaw. Along the way, we enjoyed an extended picnic in LeConte Canyon -- June 2012. |
Koip-to-Kuna CircuitYosemite National ParkStarting at Mono Pass, we linked five passes: Parker, Koip, Gem, Donohue, and Kuna Pass -- August 2013. |
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Alta-Pear LoopSEKI National ParkA mostly off-trail circumnavigation of Alta Peak. Along the way we visited Moose Lake and the Tablelands -- May 2013. |
Great Mono LoopJohn Muir WildernessA tour through the Mono Recesses, including a section of Roper's SHR. Along the way, I connected four passes: Italy Pass, Gabbot Pass, Mono Pass, and Morgan Pass -- July 2016. |
Continental Divide Trail 2015Rocky MountainsA trip of a lifetime. 122 days and ~3000 miles from Canada to Mexico -- 2015 |
Big Sam LoopEmigrant WildernessA loop from Kennedy Meadows over Brown Bear Pass and meadows of the High Emigrant meadows. We climbed Big Sam Peak and then descended along Kennedy Creek -- June 2013 |
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Split Mountain & Arrow PeakSEKI National ParkI enjoyed an excellent week of peak-bagging around the headwaters of the South Fork Kings River. My favorites were Split Mountain and Arrow Peak. Along the way, I rendezvoused with friends from High Sierra Topix for our annual meetup -- July 2017. |
 Iva Bell Hot Springs, the Long WayJohn Muir WildernessWe followed a long-abandoned network of trails and routes to reach the hot springs from the west side of the mountain range. It turned into more of an adventure that we expected. -- June 2011. |
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 Phipps Peak LoopDesolation WildernessA quickie loop over Phipps Pass, up Phipps Peak, and return via the Lake Genevieve Trail -- June 2021 |
 Solstice at Twin Island LakeDesolation WildernessA quick overnight trip to Twin Island Lake for excellent night sky photography -- June 2020 |
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Rae Lakes Loop, AgainSEKI National ParkI challenged myself to complete this popular loop in just 2 days -- May 2013 |
Goat MountainSEKI National ParkAn overnight trip to bag Goat Mountain -- August 2018 |
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 Relief Peak & BeyondEmigrant WildernessThe smoke cleared (sort of), so I climbed lots of loose scree to arrive at a great vista -- Sept 2020 |
Clouds Rest, after the BurnYosemite National ParkAnother visit to one of my favorite Sierra peaks. A forest fire ripped through the area only months prior, destroying some of my favorite spots along the Merced River -- April 2015 |
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Woods Creek, Early SeasonSEKI National ParkAn early season trip to check-out snowmelt conditions. It was exciting to see this area of the park, normally crowded, with a deeper sense of solitude -- May 2014 |
Mount Hutchings & BeyondSEKI National ParkAnother trip up Copper Canyon to summit Hutchings. Outstanding vistas over Kings Canyon -- June 2014. |
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Meiss MeadowCarson National ForestAn easy early-season trip to checkout snow levels in a classic alpine meadow -- June 2015 |
Bubbs to VidetteSEKI National ParkA brief wilderness retreat into a canyon that normally sees lots of traffic in summer, but is wild and desolate in the early season -- April 2016 |
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Alta MeadowSEKI National ParkA snowy trek to a favorite alpine meadow -- May 2016 |
Castle PeakTahoe National ForestA classic snowshoe hike to an iconic northern Sierra peak -- April 2017 |
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Copper Creek, AgainSEKI National ParkAnother adventure up Copper Creek Canyon, this time with snowshoes -- May 2017 |
Big McGee LakeJohn Muir WildernessAn late-season snowstorm thwarted my climbing plans, but it turned into a pretty nice snowshow backpacking trip -- May 2018 |
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Mount BagoSEKI National ParkI climbed Mount Bago as one (very long) day-hike from Onion Valley. Incredible views over Middle Fork Kings Canyon -- August 2017. |
Clouds Rest, AgainYosemite National ParkI returned to one of my favorite Sierra peaks, this time with a friend. Snow on the summit made the trip extra spicy -- April 2018. |
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Bubbs Creek SolitudeSEKI National ParkChallenging river crossings and snow were the price of admission to a canyon that offers wild solitude in early season -- April 2019 |
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(c) Victor Hanson-Smith 2021. |
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