Last weekend (May 3rd-4th, 2008) I went on a backpacking trip organized by Sierra Club.
We started from Palomarin trailhead near stinson beach in Marin and hiked to Wild Cat camp following the coast trail.
The day was beautiful and vista was great.
This was my first attempt at backpacking, thanks to other backpackers it turned out to be an awesome experience.

The trail was so beautiful; ocean views, wild flowers, poison oaks :) all around and good sunny day.
When we reached the camp, it was like a pot of gold.. we camped in the middle of mustard field.

Beach was at an arm's length and the bluff gave awesome location to watch setting sun.
Alamere Falls (one of the only 2 waterfalls which go directly into the ocean) was just around the corner.
I liked it so much that I ran to have a closer look (well... also because it was getting late & tides were closing on to the cliffs).

We had great dinner prepared by Aleta & Lynn (2 of our pack leaders).
I headed to the bluff to watch & photograph the sunset; got a few good shots there.

Once the sun was down & stars came out of their shells... Jim gave us great info on various stars & constellations; he used a laser pointer which shows a line straight to the star; i'm sure it was imported from a galaxy far far away :)

I finally know how to find the big dipper, little dipper & the polaris :) Thanks Jim.

When I decided to head to my cozy single person tent, I saw a spider waiting at the door.
Not really wanting to spend the night with the spider, I showed him the way out & went inside.

Listened to some bollywood music & fell quite asleep.
The temperature was in low 40s I guess, but my new TNF 15 degree Blue Kazoo kept me real warm :)

Next day, woke up early; had great breakfast (oatmeal, grits, etc). We decided to pack up & leave by 10.
The tent was soaked with moisture from the night. I had to pack the tent wet (thankfully, it didn't leaked inside the bag).

We stopped by Bass Lake on the way for lunch.. Since I didn't carry any bread or sandwiches, I had to light up the stove to boil water for my freeze dried lunch pack.
It turned out to be too much... but you know me.... I can gobble up anything :)

Al (the 3rd pack leader) & I were at the back for last 2 hours.... as usual going at my slow pace photographing anything which seems worth shooting.
We reached the parking lot around 1:30ish.

Had a chance to say goodbye to Don & Jim; others had already left.

Aleta gave a graduating gift; thanks again Aleta.

Great meeting you all.

Now, I'm looking forward to next year snow camp trip to Yosemite.