Gary-Summer: July 2, 2013

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

July 2, 2013 - Virginia Lake

Title: July 2, 2013 - Virginia Lake

Hike Info:

Trail: JMT to Virginia Lake

Starting location: Deer Creek

Destination: Virginia Lake

Distance: 9.9 miles ¹

Start Time: 7:45

End Time: 4:10

Travel Time: 7:55 (1.25 mph)

Moving Time: 4:57 (2.0 mph)

Elevation Rise: 2,089' ¹

Maximum Elevation: 10,499'¹

Additional pictures can be found at the bottom of this page.

Description:

Got up a few minutes early. Skies, while not completely clear are almost. Had a nice quiet time with some hymns thrown in.

Today we had our first mechanical breakdown of the trip. The JetBoil would sputter and stop, or flame up. I ended up dismantling the burner and blowing through parts of it. After putting it back together again, it roared to life. Success for today.

We get out of camp around 7:45, with Nicole. Fritz left a little before us. We immediately cross Deer Creek (37.56362N, 119.03418W). Then start an 1200', five mile rise up to Duck Creek. Most of the rise comes in the first two miles.

Fish Creek Valley

During one of the rest breaks, Nicole says that her pole's adjustment has broken. Looking at it the lower shaft's plastic screw has broken loose from its top. Neither Fritz nor I can figure out how to reconnect it. So we duct tape it together at a lower setting. Nicole just has to make due.

Once we get up to around 9900' the scenery is really wonderful. You look across this expansive valley and see the range across the way. You feel like you are in a magical setting. How the mountains rise from the green valley. That valley houses Fish Creek--we will be walking beside it all of today. Amongst this, Sherri and I have a minor celebration about making it farther than last year. Life is so good!

Rain Clouds

As we walk, I have been thinking about what would David or Dad do with Nicole's pole? The thought hits me. So when we get to Duck Creek and take a lunch break, I go out and find a straight piece of wood, about the length and size of the shaft. Then whittle it into shape. The stick gets jammed into the shaft and I re-attach the lower shaft. Wola! A working walking pole! Nicole is amazed-so am I.

The Rains Came

About this time another JMTer comes up, Evan. His hiking partner has walked out on him. So he is rushing to finish the JMT. But he walks with us for awhile. About that time, the clouds which has been forming breaks lose. Ponchos, rain jackets and pack overs all come on. It rains pretty good for 40 minutes or so. But the rain brings its own beauty.

Purple Lake

As we approach Purple Lake, the rain stops and the sun comes out. By the time Sherri and I catch up to Fritz, Nicole and Evan, they have their rain gear off. We follow suit. Purple Lake is nice looking. Nicole and Evan take off, and we do not see them again today.

Fritz and us play leap frog as we climb 500+' out of Purple Lake. This last effort is tiring to us, but the area is one which we are interested in seeing a bit more. So when we descend into Lake Virgina, Sherri and I take our leave of Fritz. He invites us to room with his wife and him when we get to VVR. I think we will take him up on the offer.

Lake Virginia

Lake Virginia(37.51449N, 118.93292W) is really picturesque. We are so glad we stopped. We have the time. I even get a chance to rinse the dirt off my legs. After our beef stroganoff dinner we walk around the lake and talk. The evening ends with another showing of a MacGyver episode, but not before being treated to a spectacular sunset.

Today's JMT Lesson: Preparedness is much of innovation.

Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner	Snacks
Oatmeal and add-ins, such as dried peaches, strawberries, nuts, granola. Tang.	Peanut Butter and Nutella on crackers	Beef Stroganoff	Clif Bar, Jelly Bellies, CytoMax, Propel, GORP

¹The supplied figures above come from either the book John Muir Trail: The essential guide to hiking America's most famous trail by Elizabeth Wenk or from topo maps. There were no tracks for today from my GPS. Below is the readings from today's status on the GPS. I view it as only somewhat accurate.

Distance: 9.8 miles

Moving Time: 4:57 (1.97 mph)

Elevation Rise: 1,293'

Additional Pictures: