7/2/20; mile: 965; elevation: 9,469 ft.
As usual, I woke up early for dawn patrol. No one is awake, it’s too dark to see me anyway, so crapping in an area with a lot of other people is easier this way. I make my way to the trail and it’s a cool morning. I don’t know where Tommy So Happy camped, let alone his startng time, so I hike solo again. While doing so, I pass the 950 mile mark, so per the request of Lionel, I made my own marker. This tunnel section of trail through trees is a nice soft dirt that is so nice to walk on, it’s like heaven compared to granite. I finally find Tommy So Happy finishing his breakfast (cold soaked oatmeal…yuck), so we start hiking together.
The trail has left the trees now and goes through a meadow where the grass is wet from condensation. The sun is out fully now, so it’s not chilly. It’s a pleasant and flat walk that eventually leads us to a gorgeous lake. As tempting as it is to take a dip, we forgo that pleasure to continue hiking. The next view is amazing. In all of our research on this trail, we’re amazed how this section isn’t discussed much. This canyon/valley we come out on is amazing…and there’s no one else around. The thrill ends when we look at the trail profile and realize we have to walk down there, then up the other side.
It’s so steep, stairs were made out of the local rocks. Big stairs. This is downhill where you can’t make up time. It’s one monsterous stairmaster for a couple of thousand feet. The bottom of the next valley is just as gorgeous as the last, including the rock formations jutting up all around. Again, the thrill ends when we start climbing the next valley wall. While we are resting and eating before the climb, Tommy So Happy tells me stories of his Alaska fishing adventures with his friends years ago. What great stories they were! Real backcountry outdoorsmen.
The candy I eat to power my climb is quite amazing. Or maybe it’s just barn brain. Whatever the cause, the climb goes quickly for me, with Tommy soon behind. I noticed my solar charger hasn’t been as effective as usual, so I take extra care to clean the connectors and put in the sun as much aas possible. This could be a problem…
Savior out.
Hi Ron , hope your doing well looks like we will b getting a bit of a cool down starting tomorrow and it will really b appreciated let me tell you anyway stay safe out there.
Pete