This adventure brought Justin and me to a part of California neither of us had ever been before.  The adventure started off like many others.   Once I got out of work I headed out with a pre-packed backpack and Jeep.  The plan this time was to meet Justin in Williams, Arizona; he was driving from Prescott and myself from Grand Canyon Village.  We soon met in the historic town off Route 66 and got food at Historic Brewing Company.  With a plan as we go to the itinerary this weekend all we knew so far was the next stop was Lake Havasu!  A small desert oasis that sits next to a beautiful lake.  After we finished a meal at Historic Brewing Company it was a drive down Interstate 40.  Justin and I arrived at Lake Havasu around sunset and took in the colorful sky from the Historic London Bridge.  From here, we walked to the waterfront and the restaurant named The Chair.  Justin tried an Ice Cream Burger which I had never heard of before.  After dinner, it was time to make camp, and after looking at IOverlander for free Dispersed Camping, Justin and I came across some Bureau Of Land Management Land near Lake Havasu City.  It was time to enjoy a campfire and go to bed.  I set up my hammock between our two Jeeps and fell asleep under the stars.

Once awake, Justin and I did some research and discovered a Wilderness Area called Whipple Mountain Wilderness.  It was not a far drive so we decided to do a day hike of Cupcake Mountain within the Wilderness Area.  After breakfast we set off, driving on many miles of windy dirt roads.  In some places, it felt like the road had an edge right next to us… Dropping below.  It was not long before Justin and I arrived at our trailhead.  Dusty and Sun exposed we were here.  I lent Justin a North Face backpack and we were off. It was a slightly windy day and most of the photographs I tried to take would be from the shade for softer lighting.  The pair of us made our way up the trail.  Views of Lake Havasu far before and behind us.  It was warm out, and once we arrived at the final push, a hiker could see the remains of a tent tangled on the side of the mountain.  Later I would try to climb up to pack out the abandoned gear but failed because I was not comfortable with the climb.  I did, however, pack some tent steaks and a tent bag that had not blown away from the summit.  Justin and I took in the views of the area, the mountain giving a feeling of desolation but also not too far away from civilization.  We made our way back to the Jeeps and then had a parting-of-ways dinner at College Street Brew House and Pub.  It was not time to drive back to the Grand Canyon….home!

-Sky