6/18/20; mile: 835; elevation: 10,482 ft
I’m amazed at the warm morning considering the exposure level of this site. But I’m not complaining. I didn’t set an alarm for the first time in like forever and I feel kinda rested. I have several miles of downhill ahead of me today, followed by another uphill climb following a creek to set up to tackle Muir Pass tomorrow..
Not too soon after hitting trail, I find Joshua and Ya finishing up their packing. They tell me that Pied Piper has already left the building. I know he’s anxious to get the miles in due to his food situation. The first several miles of this downhill consist of manmade stairs. Sure, it was hard on the knees, but I shudder to think what it would be like to go in the opposite direction. After a couple of miles of this, I’m hiking alone with my thoughts, which haven’t been very happy lately. My physical energy is low, my mental energy is lagging, and I’m not enjoying most of this except for the adrenaline rushes at the passes. Is this sustainable? I’m pretty sure I brought too much food, but I cant’ seem to get myself to just eat it. What the hell is wrong with me?
After following Pallisade Creek down to the confluence with the North Fork of the Kings River, the trail turns upriver. And the slog begins. I take another side trip to visit a closed Ranger Cabin, and take a very long break riverside to cook food, do some “laundry” (rinse, wring, airdry) and even take a bath. Yowza that’s cold, but it is refreshing. A short nap to allow the clothes to dry further and I finally decide to hit the trail Up, up, up.
This is one pass where it is highly desireable to get close and start early. The snow stretches for miles on both sides of the pass. So, like yesterday, this is going to be another very long day. I trudge uphill, trying to get within a mile or so of the pass, but I just can’t do it. The sun is getting ready to sink, I’m yawning like there’s no tomorrow, and I can barely stretch my gait out beyond heal-to-toe. I find a relatively flat spot near the river and quickly pitch the tent because the temperature is dropping fast. As I’m doing so, here comes Joshua and Ya…again….passing me late in the day. Those two are quite the troopers.
I’m 3.5 miles from the pass. I guess tomorrow is another alarm day. Much like Forester, this is one pass where I feel I need to perform, no slacking off or taking it easy.
Savior out.