This book is written as a tribute for those who have participated as runners, pacers, crew members, and the many volunteers who make the run possible. It is also written for those who may be tempted to take on the challenge of Western States. Only these folks know and can appreciate what is required to finish Western States. Other folks usually respond with, "I get tired just driving 100 miles." There is no admiration or notoriety outside this esoteric circle of people.

I began a blog called "Mid Sierra Musings." It is mostly about my experiences in the central Sierras. There currently seems to be a vicarious thirst and large viewership for things related to self-sufficiency, wilderness living. There are 'reality series' programs like "Alaska The Last Frontier" and "Mountain Men." I have the best of both worlds since I have all the conveniences of city living with quick access to the Sierra National Forest and both Sequoia/Kings Canyon (SeKi) and Yosemite an hour away. I can mow my lawn in the morning and be above 7,000' skiing an hour and a half later....

This book is this about Kings Canyon. 75 miles of the JMT is in Kings Canyon National Park. This lack of access to the inner beauty of Kings Canyon, a park like Yosemite, also formed by glaciers, has also preserved much of the pristine beauty. Kings Canyon simply has a different feel about it. Kings Canyon is set up for backpackers with several backcountry rangers stationed along the JMT to assist backpackers. Some of the highest peaks in the Sierras are in Kings Canyon including North Palisade at 14,249'.

This is my second book based on hiking and backpacking in the Sierra Nevada. The articles are from my Mid Sierra Musings Blog. What is different about this book is that I selected the topics based on 'page views' over the last three years. The more page views an article received, the more likely I would select that article for inclusion in the book. I don't believe I have selected any articles previously published in the first book. I have come to think of myself as a wilderness docent who enjoys helping others who are considering some of the more popular trails in the Central Sierra Nevada....