July 18, 2013 - Whitney Portal

Title: July 18, 2013 - Whitney Portal

Hike Info:

Trail: John Muir Trail

Starting location:  Trail Camp

Destination:  Whitney Portal

Distance:  6.3 miles

Start Time:  9:47

End Time:  2:44

Travel Time: 5:49 ( mph)

Moving Time: 3:59 ( mph). 

Elevation Rise: 147'

Maximum Elevation:   11,810

Description:

Guard Marmot watching us

Sun was already risen when I got up at 6:30. We had said that we could sleep in today. Tried to get up without distributing Sherri. George, Chris, and Steve were about to leave when I greeted them. It's their earliest start. They must be ready to end their journey, as are we. 

Wooten's Throne Loaming Over Us

On our part, Sherri does not get up until well after 7, when the sun's rays are penetrating my shirt. What a difference it is to be up at 12,000'. We are not in a hurry. We dilly-dally around and do not get moving until 10. A trail crew is working on the section of the trail around us. But they are pretty quiet and work efficiently.

Down we go through this crack

The way out of Trail Camp, and for the next 2+ miles is pretty steep and rocky. So we do not make much time, only about a mile an hour. But as a consolation, we got to stop and talk with a guy who offered Sherri an apple. Also a little while later, we came upon a lone woman hiking. We talked for a few minutes, then she asked a few questions about conditions at Trail Camp. She was out of uniform and is the District Ranger for Inyo. Her name is Margaret. An enjoyable woman

Mirror Lake was our next stopping place. It was a pleasant place to rest for awhile.  Sherri even took off her boots and relaxed her toes in the lake. We continued past Outpost Camp-glad we did not stop there. The only redeeming thing about this was a nice waterfall. But the grounds were mostly gravel, with a few trees.

Cascade out of Lone Pine Lake

After this, the trail became much more like a trail and we really took off, barely pausing for a break. We made it down the steep descent at a good pace. Even though some people passed us, we did good. We could see the road, then a half an hour later, we saw cars in the parking lot at Whitney Portal (36.58648, -118.23888). Then we finally came into view of the trail's end, and there was Steven. A joyful hug was given. A wonderful sight to see. Our journey was completed.

Final Creek Crossing

Entering Whintey Portal

I cannot say there was euphoria, or even exhaustion, or a brilliant revelation. We were done with the trail for now. We had enjoyed the time and now it was time to get on with our next things-enjoying our family, enjoying our life, which is what the last 24 days have been about. Of course, there were a couple  of priorities: finding the bathroom, finding this moose burger we have been dreaming about since Yosemite, and finding a shower. The bathroom came soon and provided much relief. The moose burger was a bit of disappointment-the fries were good. The shower came in the form of a hotel room at the Comfort Inn in Lone Pine.

We spent time just relaxing and writing and reading. Then went out for dinner at the Totem Cafe-pricey, but good. Then back to the hotel room and to sleep after a little while.

Today's JMT Lesson:  It is OK to stop when we need to, know our limitations, and enjoy what we have.

The End

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

July 3, 2013 - Pocket Meadow

Title: July 3, 2013 - Pocket Meadow

Hike Info:

Trail:  John Muir Trail from Lake Virginia to Pocket Meadow

Starting location:  Lake Virginia

Destination:  Squaw Lake

Actual Destination:  North Fork, below Pocket Meadow

Distance:  10.51 miles

Start Time: 7:58

End Time:   6:18

Travel Time: 10:19 (1.01 mph)

Moving Time:  9:42 (1.08 mph)

Elevation Rise:   1,869' 

Maximum Elevation:  10,900'

Description:

Beautiful night last night. Clear skies. Stars shining oh so wonderfully. Got up late this morning as we knew this was an easy day. We had decided to divide a long day into two nice days. So I did not get out of the tent until 6:15. But Sherri's first words were, "oh, it's going to rain today!" Sure enough, clouds are coming in-dark ones at that. But by the time we leave, they have passed us by, and we are left with scattered cumulus clouds, with some alto-cumulus. Looks like a fine morning for hiking.

Start of the day's hike

Even those clouds clear up by the time we start at 8.  We start with Sherri and her cup of tea, which gets us a relaxed start. Then we hit the the drop into Tully Hole. The drop is steep, but the views are great. The meadow where Tully Hole is, is a vibrant green, with a little creek going down the middle of it. It's reputation as a mosquito haven was not lived up to today. But you could see the potential.

Tully Hole and Cascade Valley

We continue down Fish Creek's narrow valley until we came to a bridge across it. Sherri says it was not here when she came through seven years ago. We stop and have a Clif Bar break, along with making sure Sherri's feet are well taken care of. Then we start on our ascent to Squaw Lake. 

There is some cloud cover now, but plenty of sun light. We go up pretty good, but need to stop several times. Sherri is starting to have some feet troubles, but not too bad. We come to this nice place around 11:15, but I am thinking if we push on for another 20 minutes, we will have gone not more than a couple of hundred feet and be about half way up the ascent. Well, at that time, the trail turns away from the creek and starts up this pretty good climb. By the time we finish the climb, we have reached Squaw Lake.  

Toward Squaw Lake and Silver Pass

We eat and rest by the outlet, admiring the scenery and view. The  vegetation is sparse and the trees are small. But we get some rest. We decide to go over Silver Pass. But there are clouds. After we have gone 15 minutes up, we hear thunder.

Now if you do not walk in the mountains much, you should know, do not be on a high place during a thunderstorm. So as the thunder grows more persistent, we hunker down under a small grove of trees, donning our rain gear. I will say I looked very stylish in my REI rain jacket, Sierra Design rain pants, and REI pack cover. They kept me dry.

We talk to a PCTer who has just made it over Silver Pass. He joins us, while eating and staying out of the rain. He has decided that his goal is not so much to complete the PCT, but to enjoy what he travels. Refreshing and wise beyond his young years.

Conquering Silver Pass

After the thunder subsides for awhile, we also move on, going up to Silver Pass.  Within an hour or so, we top it. But just to let us know who is in charge, there is one last rumble as we cross the pass. The climb up has been steady, and a bit hurried. We do not stay much on top. Just enough to get a few pictures, then we start on our way down.

And down we come. We hurry past Silver Pass Lake. Then,  continue down this trail. We stop for a quick break on a small ridge above Silver Pass Creek.  We eventual descend to a nice little meadow, before dropping down into Pocket Meadow.

But before we do, we met a person who was walking the PCT for type one diabetes, in memory of is father. He has a web site called crestblessing.org. He suggested we go up on a rock overlook, to get a great view of the Valley. I do this while Sherri travels on. It is a view which should not be missed, and I am glad I did not miss it.

In the meantime, Sherri has descended a ways while I have been gawking. This descent has got to be the worst on the JMT. It is steep, rocky and the stones are cut in places, so you have three to four foot steps. Not sure how Sherri made it down this. But I came close to stumbling down in in several places. But after being worn out by this, we make it to Pocket Meadow. We decide to go on for a ways, but soon realize we are tired from this "short" day and want to find a camp. Any camp will do. About 3/4 of a mile down the trail, we find someplace where I could draw water and pitch our tent. We make dinner and go to bed. Apparently, we did not get any wisdom from the trail today

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

Crossing North Fort of San Joaquin

Cascade Valley

Tully Hole

Picture says it all

Squaw Lake

Clouds over Silver Pass

South Side of Silver Pass

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:

Mountain Walking

Walking the Trail-Fritz, Nicole and Sherri

Gap we walked through

Purple Lake Basin

Fritz at Lake Virginia

Tent at sunset-Lake Virginia

July 1, 2013 - Deer Creek

Title: July 1, 2013 - Deer Creek

Hike Info:

Trail: John Muir Trail - Day Seven

Starting location: above Trinity Lakes

Destination: Upper Crater Meadow

Actual Destination:  Deer Creek

Distance:  10.9 miles  ¹

Start Time:  7:30

End Time:  5:00

Travel Time: 9:30 (1.15 mph)

Moving Time:  5:22 (2.03 mph)

Elevation Rise: 1,673' ¹

Maximum Elevation:  9,514'

Description:

Woke up to clouds in the sky. Is this the monsoon which is predicted for today? We shall see as by the time we have breakfast the sky's have cleared. We leave two hours after we get up, after a minor mishap with Sherri's Camelback. The top lid was not screwed down and leaked a little. Fortunately, nothing got soaked.

Gary at repose

It is all down hill to Red's Meadow. We make excellent time and take a short Clif Bar break before Johnston Meadow around 9. We whiz through the meadows area-in the past there has been a ton of hitting bugs there. Today we did meet a person who stayed there and did not have any problems. We continued on down the trail at the same pace.

San Joaquin River at the Devil's Postpile

Devil's Postpile

At 9:30 we get to the Devil's Postpile National Monument. We had hiked the JMT section around here twice before and could not think of any reason to recommend it. So we decided to go down into the Monument and walk by the Postpile. A much better  way to go. First, it is shaded. Then you get to see the Postpiles themselves. Lastly it is a little shorter. Even though today they were doing maintenance on the trail. Still, it was a good choice. For those of you keeping track, this is cheat #4.

Several pleasures awaited us at Red's Meadow Resort. First, there was cell phone reception, so we got to talk with family. Next, a real bathroom with running water. Then we had a cheeseburger and ice cream for lunch. Lastly our friend Nicole from Saturday came in. All enjoyable.

Forest  after the 1992 Rainbow Fire ²

We left Red's Meadow about 1, after a brief shower from above. When we went in for lunch, it was clear. But was dark after lunch. The rain only lasted a few minutes. But in the meantime Sherri's coat got stuck on a zipper in her backpack. After struggling with it for awhile, Sherri finally got it out, but there was a tear in the coat.

Pack Protection

Nicole joined us on our walk up to Upper Crater Meadow-our destination for today. It is about four plus miles and a twelve hundred foot gain. The first couple of miles is in a burnt out forest area. This can be a hot, exposed area. But with the clouds overhead , it is somewhat pleasant walking. But as the clouds darken again, we hurry to get out of the burnt section and under the cover of trees and the mountainside. The rain even waits until we are around trees, and it only rains for about ten minutes, enough to cool us down. The Forest Service has done a good job of grading the trail, even if the slope is steep. Once we hit more trees, the rains come for awhile. We put on our pack covers and continue on. The rain last about 20 minutes. It is a fortuitous rain as it cools us down during the steep part of the trail.

Red Cone

We pass the Red Cones, crossing Crater Creek and take a break. The pack covers come off then. Then we go up to Upper Crater Meadow, our destination for today. We meet up with Fritz and his dog Bambi. Nicole has met him before, as his wife and him offered the hospitality of there cabin last night. We all hike together.  Sherri and I decide to go on to Deer Creek (37.56362N, 119.03418W) with them. It is about two miles beyond where we intended to stop today. 

It was a bit long for Sherri, but I was surprised that when we felt a few more drops I could speed up my pace and hurry on ahead, to start setting up camp. The rains did not come. But the tents were set up pretty quickly. We enjoyed talking with Fritz and Nicole for most of the evening. Dinner for us was peanut butter, Nutella and crackers. We gave Nicole the rest of our Szechuan Veggie Noodles.

Bed time was 8:45.

Today's JMT Lesson:  Definition for Backpacking: eternal torture. (Supplied by a fellow hiker)

 

Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner	Snacks
Oatmeal and add-ins, such as dried peaches, strawberries, nuts, granola. Tang.	Burger, Fries and Ice Cream at Red's Meadow	Peanut Butter and Nutella on crackers	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 n my GPS. Below is the readings from today's status on the GPS. I view it as only somewhat accurate.

Distance:  12.8 miles

Start Time:  7:30

End Time:  5:00

Travel Time: 9:30 (1.35 mph)

Moving Time:  5:22 (2.39 mph)

Elevation Rise: 1138'

Maximum Elevation: 9,514'

²Thank you Fred and Barbara Richter for the correction from the original post where I had badly mis-dated the Rainbow fire.

June 30, 2013 - Trinity Lakes

Title: June 30, 2013 - Trinity Lakes

Hike Info:

Trail: John Muir Trail - Day Six

Starting location: Island Pass

Destination:  Trinity Lakes

Distance:  11.5   miles  ¹

Start Time:  7:20

End Time:  5:30

Travel Time:  10:10 (1.13 mph)

Moving Time:  5:51 (1.97 mph)

Elevation Rise:  1,772   ¹

Maximum Elevation:  10,180'   ¹

Description:

Island Pass at Dawn

Woke up this morning to clear skies, frogs a croaking,  and a coyote howling. What a wonderful way to start the day! Yes there really was howling this morning. It sounded like it was across the pond on the other side of the trail. No sightings-rats!

Camp Chores

Got up at 5:30 and did camp chores. Saw the sun arising. Pretty nice. After eating, we are leaving around 7:20. The first part is descending from Island Pass. Pretty gentle. We get to see lots of low green area. As we approach Thousand Island Lake, there is more volcanic rock. Also we are glad that we have started early as the sun would be really hot through here.

Thousand Island Lake and Banner Peak

We met a couple, just married from Mendocino ². They look like they are enjoying themselves. We play leap frog through Ruby Lake, when we stop for a quick Clif Bar break.  This got stretched a ways. But we did enjoy the lake-nice reflections. 

Just Married

We climb up around 250', then start a descent into Garnet Lake. Glad it is morning when we are coming through this area. Pretty exposed. But the good part is that you are seeing a whole new  set of mountains, with snow covered ravines. Enjoying it. Banner Peak comes into view. I am enjoying Garnet a lot more than Thousand Island Lake. The south side has mountain hemlock for me to enjoy its shade. The trail gently climbs out of the lake's basin. This is about a 350' climb, but it does not feel too bad. Some trail runners pass us at the top.

Thousand Island Lake

When we get to the top of the saddle, we start a long descend into the Shadow Creek drainage. The upper part of the trail, for the first 300' or so is small volcanic rock. While trail is well made, rocks are sore to the feet. But once out of that area, you find a nice little ravine with a meadow in it to enjoy. Then we head down a never ending slope into Shadow Creek. There we stop for our second lunch. We enjoy a nice long break here before another mile down to Shadow Lake.

Garnet Lake

Where we have our lunch break is a trail crew. I go over and asked if they were part of the effort to clear the trail last year after the wind storm? Yes. Thanked them. A few minutes later an Inyo Forest Service ranger came over and asked if we needed any help. No, but could we get her picture go Capture California? Yes. We talked about possible campsites and bear sightings. So far pretty peaceful around here. Johnston Meadow has lots of bugs. Terri F was very helpful. She did ask to see our permit.

After a good climb

Then, it is up, up and up we go-650' up a side of a mountain. While the Forest Service has done a good job of grading the trail, it still is a major effort on our part. Lots of shade, with a pleasant, occasional breeze does really help, along with CytoMax and jelly bellies. We get to the top and have another break. About that time, the newlyweds come up the trail. They had done some fun stuff, like rock scrambling. 

Rocky Road

Shadow Creek

We go past Rosalie  Lake-only a few mosquitoes here. Then to Gladys Lake. It is 4:30 now. To get to Trinity Lakes is about a half an hour. To go to Minarets Creek, about three hours or more. So we decide to stick with the schedule and camp at Trinity. But I have also been thinking that Trinity even in the best of times is a mosquito haven. So we look for something a little bit dryer and away  from the lakes. Found a spot a little off the trail, but about 200 yards from water. (37.67583,-119.11577)

We have dinner and get cleaned up. Then head to the tent to escape the bugs. Listened to a sermon from Red Rocks Church. Then off to sleep around 9.

Garnet Lake

Today's JMT Lesson: Beauty is there. Find it!

 

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

¹The supplied figures come from either the book John Muir Trail: The essential guide to hiking America's most famous trail by Elizabeth Wenk. Also some information comes from topo maps as well. From today's tracks on my Foretex, I got only a partial reading. Below is the readings from today's status on the GPS. I view it as only somewhat accurate.
 Distance:  11.4 

Travel Time: ( mph)

Moving Time: 5:51 ( mph)

Elevation Rise:  1,200

Maximum Elevation:  10,180'

²As a further note, our daughter Andrea who works in the Berkley REI store waited on them a few weeks later. They were able to connect the dots and figure out we were related--not the newly married couple, but Andrea, Sherri and I.