Back in the 80’s when I was leaving for college, some of my lifelong friends decided it would be great to get together on summer breaks for a backpacking trip. One trip led to another and now three decades later, the tradition continues. Our individual lives have spread us to all corners of the U.S., but once a year, the High Sierras serve as our beacon.

This year our group of seven was only a group of four, but we made it under clear skies to East Lake out of Bridgeport. We enjoyed four days of catching up and reminiscing about our younger years. We are a marketing director/explorer, lawyer/photographer, city manager/drummer, and an occupational therapist/coffee connoisseur. But more than that, we are a loose band with a shared background – the best kind of friends one could have.

The Sierras did not disappoint as well. With such a heavy snowfall this year, the end of July was actually springtime above 7,000 feet. The flowers were blooming, snow was melting and the streams were raging. Everywhere I looked, there was so much photographic potential.

While most backpackers would frown upon my decision, I lugged about five pounds of photographic gear up the hill in my backpack. My Canon Mark III, a tripod, extra batteries, and a selection of filters made the trip.

As I sit at my computer today editing the images I took, I do so with a smile borne from a great reunion with great friends. We may be getting along in our years, but as long as we can continue our yearly sojourn to the Sierras, everything will be right in my world!