6/9/20; mile 745; elevation 10,495 ft.
Yup, we’re old. We awake at the same time and hit the trail rather quickly. Thankfully it wasn’t nearly as cold last night as the night before. Not far down the trail I find most of the hikers who were with me the night before, almost all still in their tents. But not long, they’re catching and leaving me. The climbs again are my nemesis. Today was a day for views. Once the trail reaches the ridge top, the views straight down into Owen’s Valley are amazing. The rock formations around me are amazing. The trees are amazing. I find myself just walking in a daze, slack-jawed at what I’m seeing. Hiking along this trail at this elevation without clouds makes the sky look especially blue. Just amazing. And I come across my first snow in a long time. No biggie, just patches here and there, but there’ certainly more to come.
I take my long break earlier than normal, trying to change my routine to find if there’s a better way. The rest and food seem to help my speed, but it eats time out of the day, too. I’m starting to wonder if I should try to make the trailhead or not. I don’t have any transportation plans, just hoping to hitch a ride from a day-hiker at the end of their day. I take one last break at the last good water before the trailhead and talk with my fellow hikers for a bit. Four of them decided to stay, trying to entice me to do the same. But town is calling.
Fueled and energized with music, I make amazing time the last couple of miles up the ridge to the trailhead (Trail Pass). Again, we’re over 10k feet, and my lungs constantly remind me. With nobody in sight, it’s sureal to be out here alone after the last couple of days around people. On my way down from the pass, I run into Matthew, known as Midnight Rider. The last I saw him was way back at Mission Creek. When I texted him a couple of days ago to see how he was doing, I found out he was getting back on trail at the same time and location as me. What are the chances!?
We took a long break to catch up and talking with his hiking partner Dirt. They gave me some tips on Lone Pine and finally parted ways. The rest of the walk down to Horseshoe Meadows was longer than I expected, with me getting worried about finding a ride at this time of day. I get to where the cars are parked at the closed gate and wait. There are a lot of cars, but not a lot of people. Just as I was starting to make alternative plans, a couple shows up after their hike and gladly give me a ride to Lone Pine.
So here I am, the next day after retrieving my resupply packages and doing other town chores just finishing my lunch. My ride back to the trail should be ready shortly. This is it, the big one. I’m attempting to walk about 150 miles to the next town, with only one stop at a back country resort called Vermillion Valley Resort. VVR has a restaurant and small store (all expensive) where I can top off my supplies for the last 20-ish miles. Oh, and there’s Mt. Whitney in a couple of days, to boot. And then a day or so after that is Forester Pass, the highest point directly on the PCT (over 14k ft.).
The initiation is over. I’ll be out of touch for a LONG time, folks. See you on the flip side.
Savior out.
Man that’s such a nice hike. I enjoy reading everything. —-John in Seattle—-
Hi Ron , sure was great to see you when you were home and now that your back at I was wondering if you came across any aluminum on Mt. Whitney? Anyway safe travels my friend. Oh and Larry says HI.
Hi Ron! Great pictures. I hope you are doing well out there.
16 days… what’s going on out there? Did you give up?