In Spanish, Sierra translates to saw-tooth, a description fitting of Sierra Nevada's jagged granite peaks. Located in Central California, the Sierra Nevadas extend for 350 miles and reach a height of 14,495 feet (Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the lower 48 states) in the east to near sea-level in the west. They contain the spectacular Yosemite, Sequoia and Inyo National Parks.

Having explored Yosemite and the Sequoias in the Western Sierras in 2000, Michelle and I decided to return and explore the Eastern Sierras this time around.