Day 104: Back At It

6/28/20; mile 916; elevation: 8,757 ft.

I took an extra zero day just because I needed rest, though it still didn’t seem like enough. I went food shopping, bought some new insoles, and just hung out in the room. No more socializing like the last couple of days (Pac Man left yesterday morning). Today’s challenge: Get back to Red’s Meadow. Since the road reopened just two days ago, I planned on walking over there with a sign to try to hitch my way in. The other option was to take the free shuttle to a trailhead that would require more hiking as well as retracing some of my earlier steps.

As I walked down the sidewalk, coming the other was a group of two couples. One I recognized by the hat (Do Epic Shit). It was Roadkill, his wife Goldilocks along with Whiskey Jack and his wife Spitfire. I’ve seen them all sporadically on the trail, but it’s been a while. When I mention my plan for hitching, Roadkill calls his father up. Turns out he’s been driving them all over Mammoth, and was willing to take to Red’s. Can you believe my luck? Now, it’s not all fun and games. There is a long line of traffic as people pay to enter. I pay for a three day pass so they can come back tomorrow for free, and they finally get me to the trailhead. I don’t waste too much time hanging out this time, I just want to go.

The wind has been horrible today. A fire outside of Reno was blowing out of control and burning buildings. Here, it’s just knocking down trees. As I walk above Devil’s Postpile, I can hear trees falling in the distance. On the trail one tree rootball is lifting the trailbed as the wind rocks the trunk. Fresh deadfall is all over, and it’s spooky. After passing through Agnew Meadows, it’s time to camp. The wind makes me nervous of sites, especially since this section of trail climbs into the mountain sides. Ironically enough, I find a spot at mile 916, a nod to the Ducatista out there (and the same motor in my ST4). Can you believe how dirty I get from only 10 miles of hiking!?

I have some easy days coming (distance wise) as my resupply for Tuolumne Meadows won’t arrive until July 1.

Savior out.