In 1868 John Muir set out from San Francisco and hiked his way through what was then California wilderness to Yosemite Valley. This spring a 23-year old Stanford earth sciences major will attempt the 6 week journey with a new appreciation for nature. Alex McInturff's goal is to understand how California manages its open space. McInturff will complete the 320-mile walk with a backpack, single person tent, a journal, a copy of 'Paradise Lost', itineraries, directions and phone numbers.
Although the landscape has drastically changed since John Muir's journey, some sites have retained their pritine nature. Muir spoke of his life changing forever after viewing the expanse of the Sierra foothills and witnessing the forest and surrounding vegetation. The same feeling of excitement overcame McInturff as he walked into the forest and stood looking up at the snowcapped Sierra Mountain Range. After a long walk through the Central Valley McInturff was elated to be near the mountains and to breathe in the fresh air.
With San Francisco and the Central Valley behind him, McInturff is looking forward to the views and natural wonders he'll experience as he walks toward Yosemite Valley. McInturff's journey is nearly complete and can be read about on his blog which he updates frequently, muirwalk.blogspot.com.