For a few weeks, Amanda, Sara, Jeff and I had a backpacking trip planned for this past weekend. The original plan was to stay two nights, but all four of us were busy with work, so we decided to cut it down to one. Friday night, Amanda and I headed up to Sacramento and spent the night at Sara and Jeff’s. While packing our gear, we decided to save some weight by not taking the rain flies, since Jeff and I both checked the weather forecasts, and they never made any mention of rain. (This, dear readers, is what we call ‘foreshadowing.’ Pay attention.) After everything was packed up (including Dora’s doggy backpack), we picked up some sandwiches for lunch, and headed out. We got to the trail head around 1:30, and after a slight off-brand hydration pack debacle (damn you, North Face,) we were on our way! The hike was pretty strenuous, but it didn’t bother me too much because 1) I think I might actually kind of be in shape, 2) my pack was the lightest out of everyone’s (hooray being tiny!), and 3) the scenery was totally mind blowing and distracted me. The weather was beautiful, and the trail took us through the forest, across creeks, scrambling up rocks, and around several beautiful lakes, and I had a blast taking pictures. I decided to take my 20D instead of my 5D both to save weight, and so I could use my (crop-sensor-only) 10-20mm lens.
After about 5 miles, we reached a potential campsite, and Amanda, Sara, and I took a rest while Jeff went to check out a different campsite at slightly higher ground. As we were resting, the wind started to pick up, and a bank of ominous looking clouds started to blow in. After a little while longer, it started to sprinkle. Eventually, through a series of indecipherable hand signals, Jeff told us to come up to the higher campsite where it was a little more protected from the wind and rain. By the time we got to the second campsite, we were pretty soaked, but decided to try to wait it out before making a final call. After 20 or 30 minutes, it became clear that it wasn’t going to let up, and none of us really wanted to sleep in a non-waterproofed tent, so we turned around and headed back to the car. On the way back to Sacramento, we stopped for pizza, and all basically passed out once we got home.
Sunday morning we slept in, made a delicious brunch, then went wine tasting. Quite a change from camping and backpacking, but I didn’t hear anyone complain.
Despite the rather abrupt change of plans, I had an awesome time, and I really hope to go back to the Desolation Wilderness again. Next time I’ll take a rain fly. 
Photos ahoy:
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