Gadling

A couple of months ago I had the wonderful pleasure of backpacking in California's Sierras Nevadas. It was a difficult trek but one that was extraordinarily rewarding as a result. Hard work such as this gets you deep into the backcountry where the nature is pure and the people are few.

Backpacking isn't for everyone, however. The thought of placing 40 pounds of food and gear on your back and tromping up some hillside is sadly unappealing to the majority of the population. Fortunately for such people, there is an easier alternative with an equally attractive payoff.

Susan Spano of the Los Angeles Times recently hiked just 1 1/2 miles in the High Sierras to spend a couple of nights at the Sequoia High Sierra Camp. And, she hardly had to carry anything! The camp is a "luxury" campground that includes permanent tents, twin beds, Pendelton blankets, hot showers, flush toilets, and meals prepared by the former private chef to Bruce Springsteen and Faith Hill.

Luxury in the High Sierras doesn't come cheap, however. A two-person tent with three meals runs $400 a day. It sounds pretty cool but at that rate I'd hire Sherpas and find my own place to pitch a tent for the night--although I'd like to figure out a way to bring along that famous chef if I could.

Filed under: Hiking, United States, Camping