tiffany's pct journal
ENTRY 27.
California Section H: Highway 120 (Tuolumne Meadows) to Crabtree Meadows (Mount Whitney) - Part II.
Days: 92 - 93.
Dates: October 3 - 4.
Trail mileage: 1783.7 - 1830.8.
Distance: 47.1 miles.
The weather in the Sierra was treating us very well, save for that snowstorm that kicked us off the trail at Tuolumne Meadows. It made for some beautiful views.
Perfect weather
One of the most notorious water crossings in the Sierra is across Evolution Creek. Although it wasn't dangerous when we encountered it, I had heard my feet would be getting wet because there isn't a rock path and it's too wide to just jump over. I wasn't too excited because — in case it wasn't obvious at this point — it was incredibly cold.
Haven't seen this much frost on the trail since ever
And it was definitely cold! I took my shoes and socks off, and I was already feeling cold. Thank goodness the water wasn't high, and only went up to about halfway up my (very short) calves. Still, I was very happy to put my shoes and socks back on afterward.
My poor feet
Oh, Blade caught up to us — she had stayed back in Lee Vining to try and avoid skipping the Tuolumne Meadows to Red's Meadow section I had, and was able to do just that. She hikes real fast, so I figured our paths would cross again.
John Muir Wilderness
I got to camp first, which was right after a confusing but small water crossing. It wasn't easy to cross in the dark because the path over it wasn't super clear. While I was setting up my tent, I saw a headlamp coming my way. Then it started shaking around everywhere, and I heard grunting. A couple minutes later, Blade walked up and said she had just about made it over the water crossing when she slipped and her whole foot fell into the freezing water.
I had heard previously that mylar (what poptart and protein bar wrappers are often made of) is a great firestarter, and it was a cold night, so we tried to set up a fire. Just FYI: Mylar definitely is a very effective firestarter in a pinch. Blade was able to dry out her socks and shoes next to the fire, and I was happy to not be freezing alone in my tent. Campfires and friends are such a great way to end the day.
Fire, fun, and friends
I was headed over my first big pass the next day: Muir Pass. The climb blew my freaking mind. It was definitely one of my favorite parts of the trail at that point. It wasn't an easy climb, but the views were beautiful. Rocks everywhere, with some clear, still pools. Wide views of everything.
Seriously, look at it
It was around there I started seriously considering trying to get a permit to hike the John Muir Trail sometime after my PCT hike, because I wanted to stop and take breaks at all the beautiful spots. It just wasn't feasible for us as PCT thru-hikers because we needed to make certain miles to beat the Sierra's incoming winter.
I mean, just look at it
Blade was at the Muir Hut, maintained by the Sierra Club, at the top of the pass when I got there, and we checked out the hut together. It's used as an emergency shelter for hikers. It had a dutch-style door, and for some reason we could only figure out how to open the top one. The bottom was jammed. We didn't want to break it, so we just sat outside. It was a great lunch spot, and perfect weather for it too.
Hanging out at Muir Hut
The descent was long and tough — 12 miles of steep downhill, and I was ready for camp already. I came across the funny "Muir Pass Monster" on my way down, which completely made my day.
Oh god no help me it's so terrifying
Yahtzee and I camped at a tiny campsite that night near the beginning of the steep Mather Pass climb. It had an amazing view of the valley. At least, we assumed there was an amazing view — we were night-hiking every night now, so it was dark when we got there.
Finally reaching the bottom of Muir Pass
We had more big passes coming up, and I was sure those were going to be spectacular as well.
California Section H: Highway 120 (Tuolumne Meadows) to Crabtree Meadows (Mount Whitney) - Part II.
Days: 92 - 93.
Dates: October 3 - 4.
Trail mileage: 1783.7 - 1830.8.
Distance: 47.1 miles.
The weather in the Sierra was treating us very well, save for that snowstorm that kicked us off the trail at Tuolumne Meadows. It made for some beautiful views.
Perfect weather
One of the most notorious water crossings in the Sierra is across Evolution Creek. Although it wasn't dangerous when we encountered it, I had heard my feet would be getting wet because there isn't a rock path and it's too wide to just jump over. I wasn't too excited because — in case it wasn't obvious at this point — it was incredibly cold.
Haven't seen this much frost on the trail since ever
And it was definitely cold! I took my shoes and socks off, and I was already feeling cold. Thank goodness the water wasn't high, and only went up to about halfway up my (very short) calves. Still, I was very happy to put my shoes and socks back on afterward.
My poor feet
Oh, Blade caught up to us — she had stayed back in Lee Vining to try and avoid skipping the Tuolumne Meadows to Red's Meadow section I had, and was able to do just that. She hikes real fast, so I figured our paths would cross again.
John Muir Wilderness
I got to camp first, which was right after a confusing but small water crossing. It wasn't easy to cross in the dark because the path over it wasn't super clear. While I was setting up my tent, I saw a headlamp coming my way. Then it started shaking around everywhere, and I heard grunting. A couple minutes later, Blade walked up and said she had just about made it over the water crossing when she slipped and her whole foot fell into the freezing water.
I had heard previously that mylar (what poptart and protein bar wrappers are often made of) is a great firestarter, and it was a cold night, so we tried to set up a fire. Just FYI: Mylar definitely is a very effective firestarter in a pinch. Blade was able to dry out her socks and shoes next to the fire, and I was happy to not be freezing alone in my tent. Campfires and friends are such a great way to end the day.
Fire, fun, and friends
I was headed over my first big pass the next day: Muir Pass. The climb blew my freaking mind. It was definitely one of my favorite parts of the trail at that point. It wasn't an easy climb, but the views were beautiful. Rocks everywhere, with some clear, still pools. Wide views of everything.
Seriously, look at it
It was around there I started seriously considering trying to get a permit to hike the John Muir Trail sometime after my PCT hike, because I wanted to stop and take breaks at all the beautiful spots. It just wasn't feasible for us as PCT thru-hikers because we needed to make certain miles to beat the Sierra's incoming winter.
I mean, just look at it
Blade was at the Muir Hut, maintained by the Sierra Club, at the top of the pass when I got there, and we checked out the hut together. It's used as an emergency shelter for hikers. It had a dutch-style door, and for some reason we could only figure out how to open the top one. The bottom was jammed. We didn't want to break it, so we just sat outside. It was a great lunch spot, and perfect weather for it too.
Hanging out at Muir Hut
The descent was long and tough — 12 miles of steep downhill, and I was ready for camp already. I came across the funny "Muir Pass Monster" on my way down, which completely made my day.
Oh god no help me it's so terrifying
Yahtzee and I camped at a tiny campsite that night near the beginning of the steep Mather Pass climb. It had an amazing view of the valley. At least, we assumed there was an amazing view — we were night-hiking every night now, so it was dark when we got there.
Finally reaching the bottom of Muir Pass
We had more big passes coming up, and I was sure those were going to be spectacular as well.