Sierra Llama Rama - Year 4..

“Just dropping in to make a token appearance, and do a heads up for anybody interested in tagging along on any of the insane ’02 llama hikes in the High Sierras.

This year will be the fourth in a row of the endless series of Trail Talk Annual Llama Rama hikes.

For a pictorial history of TT Llama Rama’s – check out Phil’s Photo Page.

As in past years, there will be a small group of long time TT regulars (Phil and Oldtimer) returning for the fun on one or more upcoming trips.
And, as in past years, there will also be some new faces joining up for the hikes, and Phil's Amazing Dutch Oven Dinner Party held here in my yard/ campground.

I’m also posting this thread so that if there is anyone who needs to make arrangements for transportation – to or from my place, or to other parts of the state – they can maybe hook up with another traveler here, or get information about airports, car rentals, and shuttles.

I know that Phil will be looking for a ride back to LA for the Car Camp and Cottonwood hike – so here’s your stage, guy.
Make your case!

I have a working e-mail list of people who have expressed interest in the trips I plan each summer. Whenever I have a llama hike up-date, I let everyone on the list know about it.

Each fall – using input I’ve solicited from previous llama hike participants - I begin planning my TT llama hikes for the up-coming summer.
At some point during the winter I post the llama hike trip schedules and give people the opportunity to join up over the following months.

For anyone who missed the llama hike trip schedules I posted during the winter – and you think you might want to go along for all or part of one – e-mail sierramel@qnet.com, and I’ll catch you up on the latest.

The destinations scheduled for this summer are:

June 22 to July 2 – Duck Pass to Purple, and Virginia Lakes.
About 30 miles round trip.
Most of the hike will be on the John Muir Trail, via Mammoth Lakes.
There are currently five paid members going along on this one.
I will be making permit reservations soon so anyone who wants to be included needs to contact me soon about securing a space for some of their gear on one of the llamas.

July 15/16 to July 19/20 –
Car camp tour of the Long Valley Caldera – east of Mammoth Lakes.

July 20-27 Major Llama Rama – Hiking up to Cottonwood Lakes, south of Mt. Whitney – and setting up a base camp so we can day hike and fish in the basin east of New Army Pass.

September 17 to 22 –
Fall hike to Iva Bell hot springs – south of Mammoth Lakes.

So, there you have it.

I think we will have t-shirts this year. There was a volunteer for the job of designer and producer, so we’ll wait to see what develops.

Keep me posted….

Lost Tonto”

“Gettin' those llamas tuned up?”

“My tentative plan is to participate in the July 15/16 car camping and following Cottonwood Lakes trip. I will car camp with my daughter and son. They will most likely drive home after that. If someone from the So.Cal area is also going to Cottonwood Lakes and could give me a lift back South, that would be appreciated. If not, I will figure something else out.

I am also planning on swinging by on June 21 on by way to Oregon to prepare a Dutch Oven Extraganza for the Virginia Lake hikers. It might also be of interest to anyone who wants to drop by for the day for food and fun.

I don't want to be childish about this...BUT I CAN'T WAIT FOR SUMMER AND ALL THIS FUN. MEL'S PLACE ROCKS!”

“Man, Phil. That is really nice of you. I'm not sure I will make it to Mel's by the 21st tho. How's the extrvaganza a day old?”

“Who's this MEL person? Sounds like a troll. Beat it before my squirrel beats you!”

“Hey Phil,
Sounds like I'll get the pleasure of hiking with you again. I e-mailed Mel yesterday stating I will be on the Cottonwood Lakes trip. Won't be going south to give you a ride though. Our moving date is the end of April to the Oakdale area (1 hour west of Yosemite).
I'm glad to hear you are going on the Cottonwood Lakes trip....see ya there.”

“I mean.....

Where would I be without Kleetyface's Bignutz The Squirrel?

I'm so glad to hear my place rocks.
I thought perhaps because the llama hikes were getting to be old hat on TT, we might have become boring.

I can't wait to see you guys!
I don't which trip or cookout is going to be more fun - one thing for sure -
The car camp will be killer cause all we have to do is drive around dirt roads between campgrounds, eat, and drink beer.”

“not eat and drink beer again!Oh well I guess if I hafta. Kleetn better keep an eye on his squirrel cause I'm new at the Dutch Oven stuff. Just something I learned in Nam and you know whats been said about their delacacies.Oh yea Phil taught me everything I know.”

“I ate Rock Mountain Oysters once.

Looking forward to seeing everyone this summer! I am going to need the Cottonwood hike to burn off all that fat from the car camping trip.”

“Or is it Bull Nutz?”

“Since I can only do the weekend, I'll catch up with you guys on the trail. I'll apply for my permit tomorrow.”

“I want to go for the weekend of July 20th into Cottonwood Lakes. I guess I better put in for my permit too.”

“I meant the weekend of Lake Virginia. How long will you be at Mel's, Phil?”

“SN - It looks like I will not be hiking into Virginia Lakes in June at all. Instead I will be driving by on my way to Oregon with two of my four children. We will see the group off at Mel's and prepare a Dutch Oven extravaganza for them.

However, I hope to take in the enire July Car Camping/Cottonwood Lakes Adventure.”

“I signed up for a "10K Mud Run" that same weekend. Lotsa hills, walls, mud holes, obstacles etc.

I'll have to catch you all on the next trip. Iva Bell Hot Springs?”