Explore Landscapes #128
Day 8 of the Trans-Sierra backpacking route took us from High Desert Camp above Rock Creek to Horseshoe Meadows [11.16 miles / 1,026 ft ascent / 2,006 ft descent]
Morning view from the Pacific Crest Trail near the Siberian Pass Trail Junction | © 2026 Jon Norris
Introduction
I just backpacked across the Sierras, through Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks, on a Trans-Sierra Xtreme Challenge (TSX) trek with the Reciprocity Rx™ team. Reciprocity Rx™ is the brainchild of Sydney and Barry Williams (aka Hiking My Feelings® and WITW Consulting).
Over the next few weeks I’m going to publish a post for each day of the trek featuring route descriptions and reflection prompts from Sydney Williams, my responses to those prompts, plus exerts from my journal that I kept during the trek. In those responses I’m opening myself up, and being 100% authentic and real, so please be kind. Plus, of course, I’m including images that I took along the way.
As a landscape photographer it was a hard decision for me not to take my ‘big’ camera with me. As I was hiking with a group, I knew that I’d only be able to take snapshots throughout each day, and that I’d be carrying supplies for eight days, so adding 5+ lbs in weight made no sense. Consequently, all images were shot on my iPhone 17 Pro Plus.
NOTE: trekking miles and ascent / descent varied significantly between the GPX route files (whether viewed on AllTrails or Gaia GPS) and the data that my Garmin Fenix 7X recorded as I was trekking (it varied by 15 miles over the 8 days). I’m going to be using the Garmin data in the posts. I’m going to do some digging to try and figure out why this might be. I’ll share what I find out!
Tumanguya (Mt. Whitney) Backpacking Route - Day 8
Day 8’s Route Guidance
From Sydney Williams, “Day 8 is our return day.
Today’s theme is: Return.
The final day is not “just the way out.” It is the beginning of re-entry.
By now, we have crossed forests, rivers, meadows, canyon walls, alpine lakes, high passes, water crossings, storied footpaths, summit terrain, and the wide-open east side of the Sierra. We have moved through arrival, being held, building capacity, respecting thresholds, joining the current, choosing, and integrating.
Today, the landscape continues to open as we move toward Horseshoe Meadows. The trail may feel sandier, drier, and more spacious. The trees may be more spread out. The sky may feel bigger. Roads, cars, phones, inboxes, and the rest of life may start to feel close again.
Notice what happens as the trailhead gets nearer. Do you speed up? Check out? Get emotional? Get quiet? Start planning? Start grieving? Start celebrating? All of it is information.
Today’s invitation is to return with intention. What did you receive from this place? What did you learn from your body? What did you learn from the group? What do you want to carry home? What are you ready to leave with the trail?
The walking may be almost over, but the relationship continues.
Today’s reminder: the trailhead is a threshold, not an ending.”
Early morning light at the start of day 8 | © 2026 Jon Norris
Trans-Sierra Backpacking - Day 8
I slept badly last night—for absolutely no good reason. I was cowboy camping under a star-filled sky, was well fed, warm and comfortable, but just couldn’t get to—or stay asleep for very long.
I woke up about 11pm and watched the Milky Way for a bit and then eventually fell asleep again. I woke up again at 2am (for a call of nature) and then tossed and turned until 4am when the alarm went off.
The group was slow getting going so our 4:45am scheduled departure became 5:15am—and after only about 30 minutes it was light enough to walk without our headlamps.
Quick break on the Pacific Crest Trail | © 2026 Jon Norris
I was feeling surprisingly good (despite the lack of sleep) and set a good pace for the first few miles. I calibrated my pace to stay in the middle of the group so I could hike ‘my hike’ and stop whenever I wanted to enjoy the views and take photos without interrupting anyone else.
Morning light hits the peaks in the distance | © 2026 Jon Norris
For the final day I’d assumed (incorrectly) that there wouldn’t be much elevation gain, but I was wrong and we climbed over 1,000 ft (to exit Sequoia National Park) before reaching the top of Cottonwood Pass.
Slim pickings for grazing | © 2026 Jon Norris
Following the Pacific Crest Trail near the junction with the Siberian Pass Trail | © 2026 Jon Norris
I wanted to make sure that I took the time to appreciate today as it was our last day of the hike. I wanted to savor being out in the wilderness and just take it all in. Being outside all day every day now felt like my new normal—and I was really enjoying that.
Close up of a bleached tree trunk on the Siberian Pass | © 2026 Jon Norris
Looking down from Cottonwood Pass to Horseshoe Meadow | © 2026 Jon Norris
As we continued to climb we got glimpses of the Cottonwood Pass that leads down to Horseshoe Meadow (the end of our hike). Looking downhill the trailhead seemed closer than the 3 miles that we still had to go.
Chicken Spring Lake | © 2026 Jon Norris
We stopped at Chick Spring Lake, found a shady spot, and ate our remaining snacks while we waited for the rest of the group to catch up.
It was a little hard to get going again, but after a quarter of a mile or so I was back into my rhythm.
Looking down from Cottonwood Pass to Horseshoe Meadow | © 2026 Jon Norris
Mule train coming through | © 2026 Jon Norris
After walking downhill for about half a mile we were stopped by the sound of raised voices and rocks tumbling downhill. We looked down to see the cause of the commotion—a fully loaded mule train coming uphill who had been spooked by the hikers ahead. They were back on track now and we got off the trail and gave them a wide berth as they moved past us.
Sandy trail heading towards Horseshoe Meadow | © 2026 Jon Norris
After walking through a lush meadow and meandering through trees the scenery opened up and the last mile was in full sun—and it was a hot day.
We rounded the final corner and saw the lead party of the group ahead cheering us home.
Our Eastern trailhead at Golden Trout Wilderness | © 2026 Jon Norris
A cooler full of soda and chocolate cookies were waiting for us.
We celebrated the end of our adventure collectively and individually.
We were driven down to Lone Pine for a shower at the hostel (which felt amazing after 8 days on the trail), followed by pizza at the Pizza Factory—which was consumed so quickly you’d have thought we hadn’t eaten for days.
Then we had a 4-5 hour drive South down the 395 to the Tehachapi Pass to then head North on the 99 to Clovis—and our trip had come full circle.
I was proud and happy, and at the same time relieved to have completed the hike.
I wonder what’s on the cards next?
Day 8’s Camp Reflections
Prompts from Sydney Williams, with my responses.
Daily Reflections:
What did you notice outside yourself today? After so many days of ascent, I noted today that I just wanted to go down. I was ready to finish the trail. However, we still had a fair amount of ascent to get us to Cottonwood Pass (and the trailhead).
What did you notice inside yourself today? I noticed a sense of relief and normality; that I could walk 10 miles+ without feeling overly tired..
Where did the landscape match your inner experience? Between the Siberian Pass and Chicken Spring Lake the trail was challenging as there were so many steps up before the final descent to the lake. I just wanted to go down and the trail kept going up.
Where did it challenge it? The last couple of miles to Horseshoe Meadow were the hardest for me. It was hot and the shade from the trees had gone—plus we were walking in deep sand and it was hard going.
What moment from today do you not want to forget? The elation of seeing the end of the trail at Horseshoe Meadow and the group there to greet us—cheering us over the final 100 yards.
Theme Reflections:
What did this trail teach you that you could not have learned alone? I learnt how resilient and tough I can be, and that I can do hard things.
What did you receive from the land, your body, and this group? The land presented me with an unlimited amount of incredible, awe-inspiring views that most people will never witness due to the effort required to get to them My body delivered over and over again in propelling me during the hike and keeping my head in check when things went sideways.
The group taught me how different we all are and that there’s always something to learn from other people (good or bad).
What do you want to carry home, and what are you ready to leave with the trail? I want to carry home the knowledge and determination to live my best life and spend my time doing what I love to do. I’m going to leave behind my doubts about my fitness and hiking ability.
Story Invitation:
What relationship continues after your boots come off? My relationship with the landscape was deepened and intensified. I’m determined to find a way to make my photography and the landscape more central in my life.
