Adam Salinger: Backpacker & Outdoor AdventurerWelcome all DreamersAdam Salinger is a California-based hiker sharing backcountry adventures, routes, gear, and long-distance trails.
Hello family, old friends, new friends, and anyone interested in outdoor adventure! Adam asked me to write a brief introduction to his website. The website is a compilation of many of Adam's amazing backpacking trips. It all started with the Appalachian Trail in 2000. It was a nearly 5 month adventure of a lifetime. Thus, Dreamer was born! For those of you who don't know, Appalachian Thru Hikers are known by their trail names and Adam's trail name was, appropriately, Dreamer. Since 2000, Adam has tried to backpack a long trip each year, but life, including the introduction of the amazing and powerful Isabela to our lives in 2004, has not always allowed those adventures to occur. But he always finds time to squeeze in some incredible trip here or there. He loves to share his trips with others, though he prefers to hike alone, through his journal and photos. This is the perfect spot to reach others and share his belief that whatever you do, dream big and continue to dream. There are always new adventures around the corner. Enjoy! And thanks for your love and support of our family, Paula Adam Salinger is a backpacker, hiker, and long-distance adventurer based in California. Adam explores the Eastern Sierra, Pacific Northwest, Appalachian Trail, and long-distance routes across the U.S. Adam created this site to share trip reports, routes, videos, and backcountry experiences. |
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MY LATEST ADVENTURE
2026 Mono Pass Lollipop
After a real health scare while on the trail a few weeks ago, followed by lots of tests and procedures, I’ve been cleared for takeoff once again. Having lost quite a bit of muscle mass over that time, I was ready to get back on the trail.
My goal was to ascend Mono Pass, one of the few Eastern Sierra passes that I’d never been over. From there, I would hike my lollipop route down Mono Creek to the JMT/PCT and south until I hit the old use trail to Lake Italy. It would be about 4 miles from there to Lake Italy. Once there, my plan was to join the Sierra High Route for about 10 miles, heading over Gabbot Pass and north through the Second Recess to meet back up with the Mono Creek Trail. If I had time, I’d hit the Fourth Recess on the way back.
After a real health scare while on the trail a few weeks ago, followed by lots of tests and procedures, I’ve been cleared for takeoff once again. Having lost quite a bit of muscle mass over that time, I was ready to get back on the trail.
My goal was to ascend Mono Pass, one of the few Eastern Sierra passes that I’d never been over. From there, I would hike my lollipop route down Mono Creek to the JMT/PCT and south until I hit the old use trail to Lake Italy. It would be about 4 miles from there to Lake Italy. Once there, my plan was to join the Sierra High Route for about 10 miles, heading over Gabbot Pass and north through the Second Recess to meet back up with the Mono Creek Trail. If I had time, I’d hit the Fourth Recess on the way back.