When I got up this morning, John had already packed up and left; his bus departed at 0700. I leisurely broke down camp and went back to Black Velvet for a last brew in town before hopping on the shuttle towards the trail-head. I took my time to write yesterdays entry and reminisced on the glorious comfort of the past 48 hours. Mammoth had been a real nice break after a strenuous eight days of hiking.
As I was waiting for the trolley to arrive, Bird-man joined me at the bus-stop, and so we ended up travelling together back to Reds Meadows. There is a small section from Reds Meadows onward where the PCT and the JMT do not overlap. The two trails rejoin each other some 15 miles North of Reds Meadows. Bird-man was going to hike the JMT-section, and I chose to stay on the PCT. Pretty soon after hiking out from Reds Meadows I saw this encouraging sign.
Because I started hiking pretty late today (1115) with at least 15 miles to do, I knew I’d have to keep a steady pace. It was pretty warm, and the trail was incredibly dusty, not ideal, because the dust gets straight into my shoes and socks, because the mesh acts like a coarse sieve, only keeping tiny rocks out. My feet were having a hard time. The first part of the hike was pine trees, with the occasional stream crossing. There were a couple of other hikers out, but I saw no familiar faces. I guess the majority of the others were on the JMT.
After lunch the trail rose above tree-line, and for a large part of the day flanked a green mountainside, green meadows the landscape I’d be meandering through today. I’d checked the map and knew that the JMT route would pass along several lakes, and would probably make for much more beautiful views. The altitude profile of that route however was more strenuous. I figured it would do me no good to be bummed out hiking through less-appealing, plain terrain, so I just pushed on, trying to enjoy my music. Before the end of the day the trails would rejoin, and I’d probably run in to other hikers again. The views from my side of the valley weren’t even that bad.
When evening came I had to cross another pine-tree forest before climbing higher and to reach 1000 island lake. Here I was absolutely destroyed by a swarm of mosquito’s. For the first couple of hundred feet I tried beating them off my legs with my trekking poles, but soon I realized that this was a war I simply could not win; there were too many of them. So out came the long pants and bug-net. The last couple of miles my feet got way sore. Probably because I’d hiked fast for the whole day, and because my feet have to get accustomed to my new, stiff shoes with special insoles. I reached 1000 island lake before sunset and found a nice campsite too. The views of the lake were spectacular. I pitched my tent and while I was sorting out my stuff, Bird-man arrived. Not long after that Photo-op and Turtle showed up too. This is pretty much the group that wants to go to Yosemite, so its nice to have them around, to formulate a definitive plan. Tomorrow there’s 19 miles left to Tuolumne Meadows, but the terrain doesn’t look to brutal. From Tuolumne we have to figure out how to get into Yosemite (what time the bus goes). I believe a mosquito stung through my sock when I was chilling outside for a bit, and now my pinky toe itches like crazy.
Yup, definitely back on trail again.
I wish people would stop yelling and start listening
I wish birds would start talking and stop whistling
Cause they know things I don’t know,
seven of them sitting on that wall
staring at a lost soul, fly away,
too close to the window.
The sun don’t shine at night
Oh no it don’t
If only you would just open your eyes
I know I’m not alone
Is it alright,
If all these words don’t mean nothing at all?
Birds – Chef’s Special
