To acclimate we first did a day hike out of Mammoth to Lake Mary,
Randy fell in love with the bears in town
After a brief hike to the top of the Postpile we were off on the JMT
Vikki and Jim joined us from Colorado. Jim and his sister Janet hiked the JMT with their dad when they were young so the hike was suggested by them last year.
Our first few miles were through a burned area but the waist high ferns added beauty
Jim and Janet above and JoEllen below
The wildflowers began to show
And Mary and Randy enjoying a snack of energy goo.
Janet carried a disco flashing color solar light !!!
Vicki enjoys a gnarled tree trunk
Jim makes the beer and after my easy dinner of mashed potatoes, steak (jerky) and wasabi peas, and some delightful conversation we crawl into our tents for our first night at Deer Creek
Vicki sleeps outside. Randy ties the extra food in a tree so the bears don't get it.
After packing the next morning we put one step in front of the other and climb for about 8 miles over those mountains to Purple Lake. The scenery becomes spectacular. Photos just don't capture it.
Janet and Jim were our navigators and after a lovely lunch break we headed for a steep climb up to Purple Lake.
Yes, tomorrow we will go over that peak, so another beautiful sunset and a good nights sleep
Surprise !! In the morning a hail storm. Everyone jumped into their tents but I enjoyed it outside.
Yes, we are going over that peak also.!!!
The water we pump and filter from the streams is cold and sweet.
We saw many wild flowers including these Tiger Lilies
Vicki drew wonderful little pictures
We ascend over Duck pass
Much of it above the tree line
As we sight Virginia Lake below it begins to rain and hail again.
Jim said that the kind of hail is called "grapple?"
So we all struggled into our rain gear while the grapple pelted us.
Of course, as soon as we were all suited up the hail stopped
The stream crossings were easy this year because of the low snow pack
Janet's poncho deteriorated as she continued down the trail
The trail dropped steeply into the Cascade Valley
We chewed on tasty wild onions
This entire trip the JMT follows the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT)
Janet and JoEllen really enjoyed their dehydrated bean salad
And Janet pumped water, knowing a long, steep climb up Silver Pass awaited us.
The trees were magnificent
It was strange to come across a man made bridge but it got us over a steep gorge
They marked the PCT with these trail blazes in the past.
Yes, we go over that mountain also !!
But the view from the top was right back almost to Yosemite where we began last year.
Walking across the glacial polished granite reminded me of Yosemite
We were over 10,000 feet
The creek at the top was perfect for pumping water and just disappeared over the edge.
Squaw Lake...This was my favorite camp site yet
At night I lay with my head out of the tent and the stars and milky way were amazing. We were on top of the world and in the beginning of the Perseid Meteor shower. I counted at least 20 shooting stars before I snuggled in my bag and fell asleep.
It certainly was chilly enough to zip on our legs !!
and drink a hot drink
And in the morning there was frost over everything....and Yes, we go over that mountain also !!
Mary's backpack was frozen
And we climb away from Squaw lake up to the summit of Silver Pass
past many beautiful alpine lakes
past many beautiful alpine lakes
That's Randy and Mary waving at the top
A very friendly marmot hung out with us
Vicki gave us an interesting geology lesson
My favorite sierra flower, Pussy Toes
and an amazing vein of quartz
And lunch by a stream
Following a waterfall down a steep slope
And a look back at where we came from
And the stream crossing to our last camp site, a lush, green island surrounded by water
Where Jim made his last trail beer
I discovered some interesting scat and tracks
Janet's pack cover was still giving us laughs, here hugging a tree.
Randy gave us a gangsta rap dance when I commented on his cap.
Vicki drew one last picture
Randy read a goodnight story
Our last day on the trail finds us pumping water.
before hitting the trail...funny Randy !!
It surprised me how much granite was this far south
Then the sign for Lake Edison. The lake is very reduced because of the drought but the ferry still goes across in the morning. We were planning on hiking the extra 4 miles to Vermilion Resort instead because Janet said "Its just around the lake and it's all downhill !!!" Not !!!
A bit of mud to finish with
First sight of "the Lake" and last lunch on the trail
But then Janet, JoEllen and I took a little detour onto the trail to the ferry.
We missed our trail because we were distracted by young guys from SLO carrying guitars and I couldn't resist a chorus of "The long and winding road" as we past each other.
We missed our trail because we were distracted by young guys from SLO carrying guitars and I couldn't resist a chorus of "The long and winding road" as we past each other.
So realizing our mistake, Janet tried to call for the ferry, to no avail...so backtrack to the trail where....we found out it was not all downhill...but over two more peaks.!!!
We were still smiling
And there was Joel waiting for us at the end of the trail with cold plums.
He carried Janet's pack the last bit into the Resort
And up to the yurt where they stayed for two nights
Back to civilization and trying to get a cell signal to connect with family.
Some of us shared comfy tent cabins enjoying the last couple of nights of camaraderie.
snoring and midnight trips to the bathroom. It was nice to get a shower and a great meal.
Here are the traditional hiker boxes at these re-stocking stations. We put our extra food and supplies in for other hikers. VVR is a wonderful atmosphere, a good transition to re-entry, full of hikers from all over the world. We feel very strong and proud of our accomplishment. Often along the trail we met other "grey hairs", some carrying the old frame packs like mine and JoEllens. We were very respected by the younger set. Next I will plan a backpack with our 3 grandsons, excited to give them a memory of backpacking with their Nana. Memories are what we leave with.
This vehicle takes hikers too and from the trail head.
This year and last we walked most of this map, from the left corner to the right.
The next day joel drove us to Mono Hot Springs, miles down a very rough road.
We hiked up the cliff in search of the elusive Little Eden pool
Walking through white mud
Joel went ahead to scout out the way, "Where are you Joel?"
Finally Janet had to call to find him
And up we go....
But at the top was this beautiful pool we had to ourselves.
Its a tradition to make a mud face and Mary and Janet did.
Joel set up a floating table for snacks
Joel took a picture and sent it to Jim and Vicki who had left us that morning, heading back to Colorado.
Mary's finished face
Then we decided to give ourselves hot mud facials.
Joel napped and Randy held the glasses
When we were fully soaked we climbed up to the road, the easy way back.
Carrying out some trash
I spotted another pool to explore next time.
Some sturdy vehicles in this area.
Back for a luxurious shower and lunch
The next day we took a 2hr plus ride in a shuttle van from Vermillion to Fresno airport to re-connect with my van and drive home to Cambria. Thanks to everyone for a fantastic experience and memory.
I feel lucky to have such friends.
I have been reading "My First Summer In The Sierra" today
and can relate to this quote by John Muir:
"Wherever we go in the mountains, or indeed in any of Gods wild fields, we find more than we seek"
I feel lucky to have such friends.
I have been reading "My First Summer In The Sierra" today
and can relate to this quote by John Muir:
"Wherever we go in the mountains, or indeed in any of Gods wild fields, we find more than we seek"
