19.8 miles
From Purple Lake mile 894.8, elev 9974

To Upper Soda Springs campground (mile 912.2, elev 7733)
Climb 1882
Descend 4128
Steps 38761

As I reached Duck Creek early in my hike there was a man sitting there on a downed tree enjoying a snack and a rest. He pointed out there was plenty of space on the tree for me if I wanted it. I declined as I wanted to get some miles in today, but we still talk for 5 minutes or so. He was doing the JMT. He started in Yosemite Valley, made it to Purple Lake, and decided that his body just didn’t have the strength that it used to. He opted to turn around and hike back to Red’s Meadow. I never would have guessed that he was 77 but he said that he has done things like climb Mt. Shasta with his son when he was 60. So he has certainly maintained a very active life. I relayed my story about coming off trail and thinking through everything as I did so. I relayed that I had to come to terms that I might not make my eventual goal of completing the whole PCT. But that even if I had to stop, then I completed 800 miles That was still an accomplishment to be proud of, and I felt the same about his hike. I hope he sees it that way. He certainly wasn’t distraught, but to have other people have a positive outlook on what you’ve accomplished makes it easier to have that outlook yourself.

He was actually one of the first JMT hikers I’ve come across who voluntarily seemed to look for a way to help a northbound PCT hiker. He volunteered trail conditionings up to Yosemite in particular. He commented on today’s trail to Red’s Meadow. He said that once I get past this next ridge it was downhill the whole way. For me, who is trying to make some ground so I can get my resupply in Tuolumne in a couple days, that was very comforting information.

When I arrived at red’s Meadow, I looked around and put my pack down quickly. I found a spot at a picnic table that was in the shade. I ordered a double cheeseburger and a soda. They tasted good like any real food does when you come off the trail.

Hearing the ongoing conversations among other hikers, I found that I was sitting at a table with Becs, a woman who was living in South Lake Tahoe and working remotely. That made me jealous because I used to have a cabin in Tahoe and would love to live and work remotely from there (I’ve actually updated this post while sitting at the Lake Tahoe Pizza Company – almost in her backyard).

We had done so many Tahoe trails in common, the conversation flowed easily. Hearing her talk about the trails brought back fond memories.

While there, the sun shifted. To stay comfortable in the shade, Hennje changed tables and joined me at my table. He is from near Hamburg, Germany and was a little jealous that I was able to take the time to hike the whole PCT. He has two little ones at home so he only has time to fly over here, hike the JMT, and return. He was very organized and had created his own overview map with his own points of interest.

He also had the JMT map booklet from National geographic. That is similar to the series of booklets they put out for the PCT. We both like paper maps and both had some of the same complaints about the National Geographic map books.

Because of a bridge that is out there is a detour on the PCT around Devil’s Postpile National Monument. But I have a little bit of history with Devil’s Postpile that made me really want to go in and see it.

When I first came to California for graduate school, my big brother and I drove cross country on a big road trip. Bob planned lots of things to see along the whole route. Having just passed through Death Valley and heading to Yosemite, her thought Devil’s Postpile seemed like an interesting side trip.

I remember being fascinated by the basalt columns in the postpile. Since it had been 41 years since Bob and I took that trip, and I was so close, I wanted to come back.

I ended up running into somebody working in the Ranger’s office. She was able to tell me current conditions and how best to hike out and back to the PCT.
It took me 41 years to return, but these photos are for you, Bob.

Because of the bridge being down and the PCT Detour, a ranger at Devils Postpile told me that even though a lot of the campgrounds along the river were closed, PCT hikers were still allowed to use them. So I had almost the whole campground to myself. If only the water was turned on and the latrines unlocked. But a flat tent site, bear box, and picnic table still felt nice to have.

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16 miles
From Marie Lake 867, elev 10574
To N. Fork Mono Creek 881.7, elev 8638
Climb 2149
descend 4078
Steps 28780

I still felt pretty exhausted when my alarm went off at 5:15 and then again at 5:30 this morning. I ended up going back to sleep until 6:45. I think my body needed it after a week at scout camp, where I was regularly getting to sleep around midnight and up around 5:30.

When I reached Bear Creek and forded it, the depth was 16-17″ (a little below my knee). I had no problems crossing it. But as the trail continued to follow the river, I saw numerous spots that were really pretty. I made mental notes to return and possibly camp here in the future.

There was a 1000 ft climb in the middle of the day that was steep and had lots of Roman steps on it. Taking it at a measured pace, my legs got a bit tired, but nowhere close to feeling exhausted. I feel like my hiker legs didn’t completely abandon me during my layoff.

Speaking of my layoff, my foot has been doing very well. No signs of infection, and no pain while hiking. It is still a little sensitive if I push directly on the spot where my ice ax punctured my foot.

One thing I have really appreciated with all the water is the prevalence of wildflowers. I’m seeing such quantities and variety. Usually, I feel lucky if I see a couple Columbine or Larkspur. I’m seeing lots of them all over the place, and each one puts a smile on my face.

At my last stop, I gathered some water. As I tied my gravity filter system to a fir tree, a took a whiff of the air and thought, “I don’t think I even need to look to identify that big tree 20 ft to my side. I smelled that distinctive vanilla/butterscotch smell of Jeffrey Pines. When I walked over and stuck my nose up to the tree, it was one of the more fragrant Jeffreys I’ve smelled. Yum!

When I finally reached Mono Creek shortly before it ran into Lake Edison, it was roaring. I was glad it had a bridge.

I am crossing paths with quite a few southbound John Muir Trail hikers. Talking to them about their trip so far, I find myself thinking, “It’s only 100 miles to Yosemite.” The PCT has changed my mentality about hiking distances. Previously, a 60 mile trip seemed long, as did 14-16 mile days. Today, I did 16 miles in the Sierras and never felt stressed about it. And 100 miles is just “How far I’ll go to my next resupply.” Even trying to communicate with people at home. It didn’t seem scary or even strange to say, “I probably won’t have cell coverage for a week.”

I think this showed up when hiking from Florence Lake to MTR with JoJo yesterday. Despite doing a fair bit of backpacking, he was just setting out on his first longer trip, first trip in California, and was meeting friends (who started JMT in Yosemite) at MTR. He felt the think air a bit. I was calm and able to confidently lead us without referring to any map. I had done this hike last year and just felt very comfortable on trail.

Today, I found a really nice tent site near the trail. It had no water, but that is because the creek is a bit below me here in a valley. The trail was next to it back as little ways. And the trail will rejoin it again in 1/4-1/2 mile. I may not have lots of water here, but I can easily get it in the morning.

I took advantage of my early stop to get out my sewing supplies and fix a hole in the pocket of my pants. I really don’t want to lose my pocket knife.

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12.73 Miles
From Florence lake
To PCT 859.9 8054
To Marie Lake 867, elev 10574
Climb 3999
Descend 1056
Steps 29100

Note: Because of the convenience of getting to go to scout camp and get dropped at Florence Lake, I returned to trail there. That means I skipped a good chunk of the Sierras. I’ll happily plan a future trip to cover that section!

I woke up 5:00 at scout camp. I got out of my hammock, changed into trail clothes, and packed everything into bags based upon whether I may use them on PCT. I believe my backpack already has everything I need for the PCT. At least I hope it does.

I had breakfast with the scout troop. Then I went back to camp to grab my pack. All of camp was gathered at the flag meadow for morning flags. I stopped by there to say goodbye to some staffers and everyone in our troop.

As I walked towards the parking lot, Chuck, who was giving me a ride to the trailhead, told me her wished he had it on video. Amid all the regular yells by scouts and my saying goodbye to people, I missed that the whole camp had a “Goodbye, Mr. Walker” yell. I’m glad Chuck mentioned it, as I was able to go back and say my own goodbye to the camp and thank them for their good wishes. As they are somewhat used to, my goodbye was in musical fashion from The Sound of Music. “So long, farewell, auf wiedersein, aloha!” (It was “Aloha Friday” at camp)

Chuck drove me to Florence Lake and planned a bike ride along roads around there.

The scenery on the drive over Kaiser Pass reminded me why I hike. Earlier, I had some mixed feelings about expending the effort to return to trail. The scenery changed that. I was looking forward to hiking again.

I took the water taxi across Florence Lake with several other hikers and got to learn as little about them.
I started hiking with Jo-Jo (sp?), a recent Tufts grad doing part of the JMT with college friends. We had a nice, pleasant conversation the whole way to Muir Trail Ranch (MTR), where he was meeting his friends.

Perhaps a better question is how long until detraining hurts performance more than rest helps it.

My legs felt good on the hike to MTR, which is promising. I did a short backpacking trip last year from Florence Lake over Selden Pass. I think lots of things were not ideal on that trip (sleep, dehydration, not acclimated, heavy pack). I just remember feeling completely

exhausted on the climb to Selden Pass.
What a difference from the trip I took last year. Last year, the 3000 ft climb from Muir Trail Ranch (MTR) to Selden Pass was absolutely exhausting. 

I wondered if – and hoped – this year would be better. It was much better! I had lunch at the 10k elevation but because I was exhausted or hungry, but because it was getting late and I wanted to have room for dinner in a couple hours.

I got to Marie Lake and set up camp. Nostalgia pushed me to set up my tent in the same spot as last year.

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