As I headed out, there were some remnants of the previous night's rain, some occasional sprinkles and giant clouds; mixed with the surrounding domes and peaks, it made for some dramatic scenery as I headed down Rafferty Trail.
I did spend a great deal of the 6-1/2 hours alone, but as I went passed a meadow area, I ran into a group of friends and family doing a nice 4 day loop of high-country lakes. I ended up having a great chat with 2 of them as we made the final push up to the camping area. One of the people in the group had made a good deal of money in the tech world (I would meet a great deal of folks who started their stories like that), but got sick of the crap that went with it, so quite 5 years ago. Now he travel and does volunteer work. He has travel the world, but travels to countries to explore their landscapes, not cityscape. He gave me some good ideas for what I might consider doing for my 50th birthday. The other person was a woman who had only recently taken up backpacking. When we got to talking gear, I told them the the pstlye is my very favorite new piece for 2 main reasons: 1) there sometimes hasn't been any space off trail to really squat, its either a drop off or a granite wall. 2) Since its so easy to pee, I drink more water, and that is what I attribute to no muscle pain and limited elevation issues. I should mention, she hikes in skirts so that all she has to do is lift them and squat. I really like hearing what tricks people have developed while out.
We went our separate ways at the High Sierra Camp, and I went on down the trail to find a campsite. I ended up at Evelyn Lake (10,334') after hiking about 9 miles... not bad for the first full day out.
The lake was just stunning with Vulkersang Peak in the background. I had been told that I should expect lots of people while still close in the park, but there was only one other person camping at this lake. However, there was plenty of wind! I ended up keeping the fly off my tent to keep it from tipping me over.
The morning not only brought and amazing sunrise, and prints of animals who came to drink from the lake, but also a headache. and a queasy stomach. I wasn't to worried. Just assumed that it had to do with acclimating. I made a quick breakfast and headed toward Lyle's Canyon. The plan was to just get down to a lower elevation, and camp early and get some rest... so much for plans.
The route down was amazing, and I quickly learned that horse poop was going to be with me the whole way (that may have been the only complaint I had on the whole trip). It was a quiet day, just me and my thoughts. When I hit the stream running through the canyon, I jumped in for a quick soak, and then had some lunch and siesta.
When I woke, I felt great! The new plan was to get to the base of Donahue Pass for the night; however, I ran into a guy doing the JMT. He was suppose to meet some guys at a campsite that was just on the other side of a wooden foot bridge... well up we go! At first we thought we were headed for the pass, but there is nothing like false summits to get you motivated. We eventually got to the bridge at the fork, and that is were I called it for the day. I was feeling good, and knew that the next day was going to be a challenge.
I ended up being the only one to stay by the river. It was so quiet and peaceful. Some deer hung with me during dinner and again at breakfast. I found some good meditation spots and got some rest. I'm happy I stayed there. I found out later that where everyone else went up to was windy is all get out.
I woke feeling great! I think the altitude and I are getting along nicely now. I still don't have an apatite, and this ends up staying with me for most of the trip. I pack up and start the climb, and what turns out to be an almost 14 mile day with 8hours and 45 minutes of hiking, with 2 mountain passes to go over.
The climb over Donahue was tough, but the views of meadows, alpine lakes,
and jagged peaks kinda just carries me over. I don't know what I expected when I reached the top, maybe people high-fiving, or a band or something... But no, a few people eating candy bars and drinking water. What I do find, is a whole new ecosystem below, so I decide to keep going and have a break down by the little stream. And I enter Ansel Adams Wilderness....
When I was younger I studied photography, and Adams is probably the one that fed my passion for black and white as well as my desire to find the places he photographed. As I passed Thousand Islands Lake, I could sense that I was getting close to something. When I arrived at Garnet Lake, I knew for sure that this was the land Adams photographed, and here I camped, and dreamt, and relaxed into that rhythm that comes to me when I've started to shrug off the demands of "modern" life.
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| playing with the fish-eye setting |
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| home is where the tent is |
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| front porch sittin |
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at the crossroads and meeting up with the JMT           |
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