Day 11
Marie Lakes to Muir Trail Ranch, 8 miles. To where a resupply bucket awaits. I had packed a couple of surprises in the bucket, a beer, soda, a tub of frosting, fresh shirts and socks. The other backpackers were drolling over our stuff. Asked us what we put the frosting on, I said "A spoon"! Fine service at MTR, although one of the guests was a bit snobish and wouldn't lead me to the spring water after the owner told me to fill er up. "The spring water is for the paying guests". I thought Taylor was going to explode after that one. Lots of company at Muir Trail Ranch's campsites, there was a hot spring but didn't feel like crossing the fast San Joaquin nor did we feel like hiking up river to the "log crossing". This was my least favorite spot, they really cram em in here, couldn't wait to leave although there weren't any mosquitos. I'll pass this area by next time I go through it's worth the extra days of food from VVR as far as I'm concerned. Actually if you don't want to see very many people at all you're best to have a friend resupply you, all the resupply points are esentially "crowded".
Day 12
Muir Trail Ranch to Piute Canyon, 7 miles. We start our push over Piute Pass, the next three days were some of the most scenic of the trip. My knee is handling the scaled down miles pretty well, looks like I can continue hiking for the whole three weeks. Another short Thunder storm roles in in the afternoon, just enough to water the plants :)
Day 13
Piute Creek to below Piute Pass, 7 miles. This area has become one of my favorite areas in the Sierra, I can't wait to go back and explore one day. Although I would avoid Hutchinson Meadow any time of the summer, the mosquitos were the worst I've ever seen. I am so glad we decided to exit out of Piute, it is a very magical place with fewer people.
Day 14
Over Piute Pass down to North Lake Campground, 6.5 miles and our meeting place with Dave and Bob. I wouldn't want to hike up this Pass from the East side, whew! We can't wait to see Dave and Bob, but have to wait almost 6 hours at the campground, excruciating, we are hungry and eager. Plus we aren't sure if they even got our message to meet us here. We start hitchhiking to town, but they arrive within minutes. We stay at a roach motel in town and eat until we can't eat any more. Good to bathe and sleep on a real bed.
Day 15
Onion Valley up and over Kearsage Pass to Kearsage lakes, 6.5 miles. Dave and Bob are on the trail with us now! Daves pack is over 55 #'s so he lags a bit (must be that six pack, guitar and fishing rig) :) The altitude is affecting them also, while Tay, John and I are acclimated to the max. Pretty spot with a lot of people, it's a popular trailhead because it starts at a high elevation and gets you into the Sierra fairly easily. We meet a group of people doing a challenge, they all have hiked the Kearsage Pinnacles. There is a fire somewhere, causing a lot of smoke to billow up through the canyon, hope it's not where we are going.
Day 16
Kearsage Lakes to below Forester Pass, 8.5 miles. We struggle to figure out where to camp this day, seems there aren't many options. Ask a couple hikers and they tell of a good place to camp at around the 11,200 foot level. We hike on, stop for lunch, Dave and Tay take a swin, brrrr. We bump into a Parks Service Employee who is out to check on a bluff charging bear and to test the new Ursacs (a device that's supposed to keep your food safe from bears) He had missed the turn off to Center Basin (seems the signs down as we missed it also) We ended up finding a nice spot, luckily for us as we were stuck there for two days, a snow storm rolled in and dumped 4 inches of snow on Forester Pass. After a few arguments with the guys we finally decided to stay put and tackle the pass when the weather clears. Few people pushed on, those that did we heard were cold, wet and miserable, but made it safely. Oh yeah, today's my Birthday! :)
Day 17
Stuck below Forester Pass, snow, rain, hail keep us here another day. The guys go a bit stir crazy, I enjoy the down day. Told the Park Service Employee about some torn open bear bags we found hanging in a tree nearby, found a ton of wrappers and bear scat with wrappers in it right below the bags, seems whoever's lame attempt at hanging their food didn't work, then they just left the mess. The Parks guy took some video footage and cleaned up the mess, I think he was greatful for some bear activity to go back with, he had struck out so far especially since he had missed his original destination.
Day 18
Finally up and over Forester we hike to Wright Creek, 11 miles. Today was one of the most scenic, Forester is beautiful especailly made so by the added snow, and the area between Forester and Tyndell begs for more exploration. We talk to a ranger out of Tyndell, she teels us of a bear that is breaking into Bearvaults. Darn, I just bought one and borrowed another from a friend, hope we don't get hit. She also tells us of a great campsite where we can have a fire toniight, first fire since Bob and Dave joined us, Wright Creek here we come.
Day 19
Wrights Creek to Guitar Lake, 8.5 miles. We leave our large/comfy camp and step into familiar country. From Wallace Creek on we are joined by the High Sierra Trail which we hiked last year. It's all new to Tay and John though and they continue to take it all in. Bob, Dave and Tay take a quick dip in Guitar Lake, it makes Taylor breathless yet she jumps in again! Wow, she sure didn't get my water genes, I didn't swim once this whole trip, she went in at least 6 times.
Day 20
Our last day on the trail. Guitar Lake to Whitney Portal 17 miles for most, 12 for me, I decide not to summit and pound my knee into submission. Besides I've summitted three times before, the glamour kind of wears off and I always feel like crud on top, pounding headache and nasty mood, can't wait to get off the top. I skipped down to the Portal and had a real meal while the rest went for it. No one had a headache or felt the altitude on the summit and they made it down two hours behind me. I cried when I got to the end, I wasn't sure if I was happy or sad. We were truly so lucky to be out in the wilderness for this long of a period. I hope you enjoyed looking and I also hope it insipres you to get out and explore these beautiful areas.