Camping, Hiking and Enjoying the Great Outdoors for the Busy Professional

Life is short and far too hectic. Take time to smell the roses… literally!

A Great Way to Bring the Family Together
 
Finding time to spend on family is getting harder and harder. Technology was supposed to make it easier. When I was in grade school, I can remember teachers telling us that technological innovations would allow us to do more work in less time, which would create more free time than we could imagine. Unfortunately, all it's done is get us used to things moving at light speed making us more impatient.

To me, there is no better way to slow down, enjoy life and get to know your loved ones than by camping. Leave the computers and iPod at home and the cell phones off. Once you fall in love with a place, it becomes special, truly a part of you. It will help you live longer, happier and keep your family together. I have been doing a back country trip every summer with my son Josh since he was born. I can remember having him on my back at about 5 months old hiking up Lembert Dome in Yosemite like it was yesterday.

Where to Go

I took this from my cell phone on the way into Mammoth.

For me that special place is in the Eastern Sierra off of US Highway 395 from Bridgeport to Lone Pine. As soon as I get to Bridgeport driving south on 395, I feel the stress lift from my body as if a heavy weight is being pulled from my shoulders. All of a sudden, driving for hours is a pleasure not a chore as you are driving at 6000 – 8000 feet elevation, surrounded by the 13,000 – 14,000 foot mountain peaks all around you: Heaven on Earth.
 
That entire area is a playground, better than any I know. Mammoth Lakes has hiking, biking and great fishing. The high desert just past Mammoth has some great natural hot springs to soak those weary bones. Plus, the area is BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land, so camping is free (yep, you heard that right, free!) for up to 14 days. Just pull off the side of the road or down one of the many dirt roads and find your spot. There is no better place on the planet to see shooting stars at night or shadows dance across the plains in the morning.
 
From Highway 395: Take a drive up to Tom's Place, an 18 mile road that takes you to about 10,500' elevation, the highest point in the Sierra's that you can drive to. The view is absolutely breathtaking, and is something that would normally require a substantial hike to get to see. Take California Highway 168 from Bishop up towards Lake Sabrina. There are loads of great hikes and tons of small campgrounds that are cheap. In fact, this is the norm all the way down 395. Big Pine has the trail to the Palisade's and Lone Pine to the Whitney Portal. Lone Pine is fun too because they used to film all the Hollywood westerns out there.

Supplies
 
Be prepared. It's hot during the day and cold at night. 75 feels like 90 at 10,000 ft. By contrast, it could be in the 30's at night which will feel like zero. We like to sleep without a tent, under the stars. I just love waking up in the middle of the night. There, I fight to stay awake, the opposite of home. Drink lots of water, it's dry. Wear sun block, you're closer to the heavens. Be prepared for crazy dreams, there's something about elevation. Watch the weather.
 
There's nothing like camping out under the stars, away from technology and the neighbors barking dog. Most importantly, there's no better way to bring and keep the family together without all the craziness that normally tears the family apart. Without a doubt, there is no place I'd rather be.

—Keith Springer (Camping Guru)