Day 77 1560.8 - 1565.9
It’s a new day and I feel a lot better. There was a good bit to do today. First up was a trip to the post office again to ship off things I had forgotten followed by an omelet and cinnamon roll pancakes at the Denny's nearby. Went to the grocery store for a top up of the bear can then I went to McDonalds to charge up my phone before hitching to Echo Lake.
I dont know where the day went. It was already 5 when I got back on trail. I had planned on making it a few more miles than I ended up doing because there was a rock outcrop that had a flat spot to camp and a good view of SLT.
Day 78 1565.9 - 1598.1
Boy it's cold in the morning up here. I got moving with the morning light around 7. The uphill are quite steep.
Showers lake was gorgeous but a careless dog owner let the nut grab my water bladder.
Made my way up to the visitor center at Carson Pass and talked to the friendly volunteers for a while.
The views are great but the altitude will take some getting used to.
Day 79 1598.1 - 1625.8
Today kicked the crap put of me. I huffed and puffed the entire time. Were getting higher and the landscape is changing again. I’m getting a nice mix of craggy peaks, juniper trees, and cows.
I wanted to get within 8 miles of Sanora Pass to be in range of the top for sunrise but I only made it 12 miles out. The site was fantastic though. On a cliff looking east towards a wall of rock that caught the last light of the day as the sun dipped between the clouds and horizon.
Day 80 1625.8 - 1656.7
Oh boy did I struggle in the morning. It felt like ages before I reached the top of the trail. I was well behind schedule and stopping often to lean on the rocks. As I walked down towards the highway, I could feel a sunburn coming on even though the sun was still low. At the trailhead I took a decent break to snack and rest before hitting the next 1000 ft gain. Again, it took me ages to get to the top but when I did everything was worth the effort. It's the first time that I felt like I was truly in the high country with peaks and barren rock all around.
I actually felt as though I was moving at that point. I might of helped that the trail was basically flat at that point.
After a while the trail drops back down into the trees and granite starts showing up a lot. The granite makes sense considering what i’m approaching. As dusk fell I walked over Dorothy Pass and into Yosemite National Park. A little ways later I was pitching my tent near Dorothy Lake.
Day 81 1656.7 - 1684.7
I’m starting to get used to the altitude. There were a lot of climbs today but they are getting easier. Having some physical challenge on the trail again is nice.
Another dramatic chance in the landscape. Walls of granite thousands of feet high rise all around and the trail mosseys up and down them showing a low of beautiful alpine lakes that I doubt many visitors have seen.
A curious note was when I noticed a string of web floating in the air with a spider at the bottom. I didnt think much of it until later in the day when the sun backlit and made 100s of the little glimmers visible high in the air as I climbed up the next wall of rock.
I didnt make it in to Smedburg Lake until 7:30. It was pitch black and the other hikers were already quiet in their tents. I never did get a good look at the lake.
Day 82 1684.7 - 1710.6
I got up early and was walking before 6am. I wanted to be at the top of Benson Pass for sunrise. I didnt know if their would be a view but it’s good to be ready. I would have made it if an emergency bowel movement hadn’t stopped me in my tracks half a mile before the pass.
There were so many good spots to stop today but after these days of hiking I want the hot food at Tuolumne. Also, these granite mountains reflect a lot of sunlight and has been the only time I felt that I needed sunscreen with my big hat on.
Tuolumne Meadows was gorgeous. The grass has turned golden and there is still a lot of water. Lots of tourists though. Just before the highway i filled up my bottle at the Soda Spring. The spring is supposed to have tasty carbonated water but to me it just tasted like blood.
Ate way too much at the grill. A double cheese burger, chili dog, fries, and over a liter of soda. I was tired so I didnt push on and camped in the backpacker area of the campground for $6.
Day 83 1710.6 - 1741.0
I didnt get walking until late maybe 9:30. The grill didnt open until 8am and I always want breakfast. I also needed to grab the power bank that I left charging over night. Turns out their breakfast plate and pancakes are too much. The first 10 miles were painful. I felt like vomiting and would walk a mile before stopping for 10-15 minutes. I was grateful when it passed and I was able to work my way up to Donahue Pass. I love getting to the top and being able to see for dozens of miles. I even had signal and was able to Skype my family before heading down. The miles after the pass were amazing. A highlight was Thousand Island Lake. I even asked a random hiker to take my picture there and was reminded that any rock that I can place a camera on is probably goi g ti do a better job than a random hiker.
Ended up hiking until 10:30 getting me only 4 miles out from Reds Meadow.
Day 84 1741 - 1746.5
Blasted through the few miles to Reds Meadow in the morning to be in for breakfast. Overpriced and small, it was still worth it. Was able to reunite with Wonka and Sour Patch as the camped right across the river from me and walked in a few minutes after. We are all going in to Mammoth Lakes to wait out the weather coming in tomorrow.
As with any town day, lots of money spent and food devoured. The gear shop, Mammoth Mountaineering, was surprisingly well stocked and I was able to grab gloves, a new shirt, base layer, and baseball cap. I love my big Tilley hat but with my pack so big the brim is always bumping up against the pack and is pretty annoying.
Day 85 Zero
Lots of weather coming through. It wasnt bad in the town, just a lot of wind and rain but I could imagine a less pleasant experience a few thousand feet up.