Nightglow Window

The Needles Lookout

Good news.

Christy got two more days off from work. This means that instead of taking the modestly scenic fire roads over Kennedy Meadows to the south, we can drive up through Yosemite Valley and over Tioga Pass, extending the trip by two days.

Today, however, we're heading up the hill once again to hike to the Needles Fire Lookout. It should be a good adventure and a stiff challenge for Hannah.

The trailhead is found at the end of three bumpy dirt miles of driving. It's still cool, especially here at 7,800 feet. The vistas are incredible, with the north-south drainage of the Kern River clearly visible for miles as it climbs into the Kings Canyon National Park backcountry.

There's a fire up there today, the same that caused the hills to go hazy down in Camp Nelson this morning, but up here the immediate vistas are crystal, the thin gray smudge upcanyon the only sign of the blaze.

The trail, out and back, is about five miles. This will be a tough one for Hannah, and she's complaining not a half mile from the car. Sydney, on the other hand, is chomping at the bit, raring to get ahead on the trail.

After about a mile, the roles reverse after Hannah finds a walking stick and eats some fruit snacks. Now Sydney starts to lag as we climb up some gentle switchbacks.

Everyone's spirits soar, however, when we catch sight of the fire lookout. The Needles are incredible, and not well known outside of the rockclimbing circles. The lookout, however, is iconic. Perched on top of the 1,200 foot clean white granite dome of the Warlock, it's spectacular.

We descend into a saddle and start up the final switchbacks, which begin to get steep, rocky, and a tad exposed. Approaching from the north like we are, however, protects us from the vertigo-inducing drops of the south face.

We're slightly disappointed when we find out the tower is closed to visitors as the fire to the north continues to be monitored, but we stop near the summit in the cool wind and have lunch -- chicken and grapes and Ritz crackers and apples and more. Our packs are greatly lightened.

By the time we made it back to the car, everyone is dragging. Being a bit of a hiking snob, I chose to wear my flip flops on this easy trail hike and my feet are filthy (but comfortable and blister free). Everyone is a bit dusty and parched, but also proud of a day well spent in the mountains.

We spend the afternoon lounging back at Terry and Debbie's (me back in the hammock, hogging it, asleep), then after dinner we roast S'mores outside under a star-filled sky.

Hard to complain about anything on a day like this.


The six-year-old super hiker.


Hannah, with the Golden Trout Wilderness behind her.


Sydney makes easy work of the final switchbacks.


Sydney, discovering the joys of hiking in sandals. Really! Try it!


The lookout.




I win the dirty feet award.


In the backyard making S'mores.


A feast of stars.