Introduction
One of the most fascinating hiking places in the world is the Sierra Nevada, which is located in California State of the United States of America. Most of the features and the landscape provide the best solution for the hiking fanatics. I still remember the terrain that offers varied temperature that provides the hikers with the sense of desert temperature and at the same time ice-cold temperature depending on the different topography. The experience at the Sierra Nevada hiking gave me an opportunity to enjoy one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world found on the range. Hiking on the range that were ranging from 80 to 60 miles wide was the most fascinating part of the experience. We started our hiking activities from the shore of Lake Almanor, south of Bakersfield and north of Tehachapi pass. The place got it all for the hikers since it also contains the far-fetched number of alpine territory to sightsee.
Sierra Nevada offers different playgrounds for different hiking activities. The playground that was the most attractive to me was the fishing, where I spend many of my hiking hours. However, not all fishing grounds were fascinating because some, such as rivers had more fishes than others. As a result, if somebody was in need of me, the most possible place to get me was along the riverbanks or in the rivers since I also know how to use fishing nets. However, I experienced some challenges such as humid and cold weather along the targeted rivers, and some parts of rivers were not navigable. For instance, during the winter season, the maximum temperature ranges between 55 to 70 degrees during the day, and a minimum range of between 0 to 32 degrees during the night. Despite the challenges, the fishing activities helped me to enjoy other sceneries and features as I moved along the rivers (CA.GOV, 01). Some of the features included rock walls, ridges, summits, peaks and high angle gullies, various camps and trails of their own kind. The sceneries included fascinating and conducive skiing playgrounds enhanced impressive snow conditions during the winter season. For the skiing lovers, it is advisable to exercise their hiking activities during the winter season.
Another fascinating place in the Sierra Nevada was the Mammoth lake basin, which also contains the Mt. Morrison. The scenery has Mammoth Pass that provides a low point in the peak, which provides a way for the moist air of Pacific Storm to flow through the eastern side. However, we experienced some challenges such as wetness caused by the moisture for the Mammoth area. I learnt that the rainfall varies between the eastern and western slopes. For instance, the western slopes receive more rainfall that the eastern slopes. Therefore, the eastern slopes were favorable for the hiking activities because of less rainfall (TimberLine Trails, 01). However, the rainfall was usually in the afternoons but not much to restrict our hiking activities. Some of the troops were also finding it enjoyable to carry out hiking activities on the light rain in the eastern slope. Getting wet in the mountains imposed health hazards and high chances of hypothermia to the fellow hikers that were not prepared. Another the disadvantageous conditions that we experienced in Sierra are the sudden fall of temperature to a dangerous level, especially on high attitudes. I found this place fascinating because of the thickness of the snow, which in return facilitated the winter sports such as skiing. Sierra does not only offer beautiful scenery, but also incredible temperature to conduct different hiking activities. During the summer season, the temperature is warm at a maximum range of 80 to 100 degrees F. and a minimum range of 15 to 37 degrees at higher attitudes. I must say that the Mammoth basin was the most fascinating but challenging part of the hiking experience (John, 01).
Memories of Hiking in the Sierra Nevada are still fresh into my mind. Visiting the area left me with a pleasant and intimate experience that makes me wish to visit the place once again. I remember climbing the mountains and walking slowly towards the peak. I was so comfortable and my heart felt at home. We ventured into most parts of Sierra with my friends, and this left us with an intimate experience and the urge to rediscover harmony and the peace of mind. The forest is dark and evergreen with numerous peaks, beautiful rock structures, and lake basins. It was enjoyable to hike at the Temple Craig rocks that contain caves and ridges where we spent our time enjoying the best moments (Summit Post, 01). Hiking in the dark green forest was accompanied with the beauty of silence and this sent chills down my veins. I could listen to the singing of the birds and the crippling of insects. The sound of nature made my friends to sit down and started singing with the birds of the air. The feeling was amazing, I was in love to listen to the rhythm of my breath, and my heart beat. I was up to the task of fantasizing with the magnificent scenery and the memories still lingers in my mind. I felt like never before, I was relaxed and fully in love with the surrounding nature. The natural environment made me feel alive and most of the times I found myself silent and never wanted to hear anyone chatting near me. I just wanted the words and sounds of nature, and this made interact with my inner feelings and thoughts.
In my opinion, hiking in Sierra Nevada was more of an outdoor activity. I was engaged in numerous memorable activities, and the philosophy was just magnificent. The hiking could only be compared to natural medicine, and it was food for the soul, body and mind. The experience was felt deep inside me, and the journey was the most amazing ever. The familiarity with the view made me comfortable to be more intimate with my past and wished for the best to happen in my life. I felt happy, better and stronger than always. When asked about the place, I find interesting to narrate about and enjoy the amazing and unforgettable experience. The flow of water from top of the mountains and the sea creatures inside the rivers looked so romantic. I still listen to the sound of crickets when am alone and this makes me feel as if I am still at Sierra Nevada (Central Sierra Historical Society,01).
The scenic uniqueness of the Sierra Nevada will always stand out due to the loving opportunities it present. Visitors will always come out the place satisfied wishing to visit the area several times. It was impressive to walk in the natural environment with courage and confidence to feel love in my innermost instincts. I still remember a young snake that I came across, and this got me so afraid and tense. I jumped and ran for my safety screaming in loud sounds, but the snake did not injure me. Luckily, the creatures found in the Sierra Nevada are harmless, and they rarely attack human beings.
There are numerous activities in the Sierra Nevada. Apart from hiking, mountaineering and fishing has attracted more people to visit the area. It is enjoyable to take a ride across the massive eastern escarpment across the mountain, and the experience is fabulous. The Sierra Nevada has famous mountains all over the world, and I can recommend to hikers to explore and enjoy the best experience ever. Hiking in Sierra is a wonderful and an amazing experience that motivates people to visit the place. The area has become most popular because of the unique features and the geographical climate. The magnificent mountains have magical characteristics that bring a great feeling to life. The Sierra Nevada is the best place to hike since it has all it takes and never leaves anyone dissatisfied. The memories of Sierra will never fade away, and I will always appreciate my visit to the place. I will always convince my friends to visit so that they can have a wonderful experience associated with the Sierra Nevada.
Works Cited
CA.GOV. Sierra Nevada Conservancy. N.p., 2 Mar. 2011. Web. 7 July 2014. http://www.sierranevadaconservancy.ca.gov/
Central Sierra Historical Society. "Geology Of The Sierra Nevada | Central Sierra Historical Society." N.p., 2012. Web. 26 June 2014. <http://www.sierrahistorical.org/geology-sierra-nevadas>.
Kelly, John. "HowStuffWorks "A Guide to Hiking the Sierra Nevada Mountains"."HowStuffWorks. N.p., 2 Apr. 2008. Web. 7 July 2014. http://adventure.howstuffworks.com/destinations/trail-guides/sierra-mountains-hiking-guide.htm
Summit Post. "Sierra Nevada : Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering : SummitPost." N.p., 1 Feb. 2013. Web. 27 June 2014. <http://www.summitpost.org/sierra-nevada/176773>.
TimberLine Trails. "Sierra Nevada (mountains) Hiking, Backpacking, Mountaineering." N.p., Feb. 2014. Web. 27 June 2014. <http://timberlinetrails.net/SierraNevadaMtns.html>.
