Backpacking with Esther and Beatrice

With Mom out of town at a wedding, Dad and the girls knew it was time to try something crazy. We decided to take a backpacking trip in Pescadero Creek County Park. Shaw Flat Trail Camp is 2.5 miles from the Hoffman Creek Trail Head and would be a formidable challenge for the gals.

The girls did well on the hike in. Esther hiked all but ~100 yards of the 2.5 miles and Bea hiked over half of it. Once we reached camp the girls were tired and hungry.

After dinner the girls put on their pajamas and prepared for sleeping in "tiny tent".

After a good night sleep, the girls were ready for breakfast and the hike out.

Unfortunatley, Dad spilled all four packs of Oatmeal on the forest floor. Here is a picture of the pile after we gobbled up all the oatmeal on top.

After eating breakfast and packing up the camp, the girls were quite dirty and ready for the hike out.

We were of mixed emotions as we broke camp.

The girls had a great time throwing rocks in the creek. Unfortunately for Esther this moment was caught on film.


The girls had lots of fun playing with sticks, tearing apart leaves, singing, yelling, walking backward, and drawing in the dirt.

Each day it took us about 3.5 hours to cover the 2.5 miles. This should give you an idea why.

Camping in Lassen Volcanic National Park

The girls celebrated the beauty of a high sierra lake by throwing rocks, sticks, and such into it.


Esther and Bea found a mule willing to carry them into Bumpass Hell so they could get a glimpse of the geothermal activity. Here they are next to a colorful pond near the fumaroles and mudpots.


The girls hiked most of the last mile, holding hands on the scary parts.


After the hike the girls went for a swim in Lake Helen at the foot of Lassen Peak (10457 ft). The lake is fed with melting snow so the water is quite cold. Esther saw Dad go for a quick swim underwater and asked if she could go too. She enjoyed her dunk underwater and then dried off in the sun on a blanket on the beach.


It seemed like the girls enjoyed their big trip to the mountains.