Camping at Alta Meadow, Sequoia National Park

It will be a dry year in the Sierras this summer. Five friends and I hiked into Alta Meadow June 1-4, the earliest I have ever backpacked in Sequoia. We crossed several streams along the 6-mile trail, but I think water will be scarce toward the end of the summer. There was very little snow even on Alta Peak at 11,200' There were a surprising number of wildflowers on the way up and even at 10,500'. We were early enough to see Anemones or Pasque flowers, my first view ever in the Sierras.

It was disturbing to find three Mylar balloons at 10,000 feet tangled in Willows and another two 

were found on another day. They should be banned!