Las Vegas Kacti & Cockapoo: Tim, David & Dennis on the John Muir Trail (Yosemite NP/Ansel Adams Wilderness/John Muir Wilderness/Kings Canyon NP)- September 2016

Garnet Lake & Mt. Ritter from the John Muir Trail

Now, where were we? We last left Tim & David at the backpackers' camp in Yosemite National Park.

Half Dome from Yosemite Valley

John Muir Trail Terminus at Yosemite

Taking the Real John Muir Trail

We cannot get lost!

Nevada Falls Junction

Wow!

David's Hike up Half Dome

Night 1 - Little Yosemite Valley

To recap the first day on the trail, Tim & David decided to forego the steep Mist Trail for the original John Muir Trail that hikes up above the canyon. This trail junctions with the Mist Trail at the top of Nevada Falls. They set up camp at Little Yosemite Valley and went for an afternoon climb up Half Dome. Due to a previous arm injury, Tim didn't get far but David did the whole enchilada. The granite is slippery even with the cables and arm strength is a necessity. They returned to Little Yosemite Valley as required for the night.

Burned Forest near Cloud's Rest

Monster Rock

A Meadow in Yosemite

Tresidder Peak

Night 2 - Cathedral Lakes

The next morning, they had to reclimb the distance up to the base of Half Dome to be able to continue on.

The second day, Tim & David traveled in the area of Cloud's Rest (burned forest) and finished at Lower Cathedral Lake. This is a particularly beautiful lake still within the boundary of Yosemite NP. Also in the area is Tresidder Peak and Cathedral Peak that rise prominently above the trees.

Cathedral Lake

Night 3 - Tuolumne Meadows

Tuolumne Meadows was a stop much anticipated. This is where Tim & David resupplied for the first time. They were able to go off trail for some "real food" and drink a beer or two. Hiking through Tuolumne was busy with recreational hikers and a few cars. It's no wonder that this was the only night that a photo was not taken of the campsite. What a day! After hiking the length of Lyell Canyon, they camped just before the climb to Donahue Pass.

Heading into Lyell Canyon

Lyell Canyon

Donahue Pass

Ansel Adams Wilderness Boundary

Ansel Adams Wilderness

Marmot

1000 Island Lake

Night 4 - Garnet Lake

Hiking Lyell Canyon the day before was, by all accounts, a beautiful and peaceful experience. It is flattish with a river running through it. It did seem to go on forever, though. At the end, the JMT climbed Donahue Pass where they crossed into the Ansel Adams Wilderness. Finally, the pair passed 1000 Island Lake. They said that this lake is one of the most beautiful of the trip. Right after this, they reached gorgeous Garnet Lake where they camped on Night 4.

Mount Ritter & Mount Banner

Garnet Lake & Mt. Ritter

Pack Team

Devil's Postpile

Night 5 - Red's Meadow

The next day, one of the highlights was the Devil's Postpile where David did the honors and climbed to the top to take photos. Soon after, they reached Red's Meadow for another resupply. Red's Meadow is another stop where hikers can enjoy a few of the more civilized accoutrements. By this time, the pair had met several other hikers with whom they were sharing the trail. On their return, they talked excitedly about this person and that person, etc.

Red's Meadow

Cinder Cone

Rainstorm seen in Distance

Hail from Storm

Blue Skies after Storm

Night 6 - Purple Lake

Leaving the comfort of Red's Meadow, they passed by a cinder cone. David was fascinated and up the trail to the crater, he went. Later that afternoon, they saw a rainstorm in the near distance ... in the direction they were hiking. A decision was made to pull aside and wait it out. Good decision. When they finally arrived in the area where the storm had blown over, there was hail on the ground in a very wide area.

Lake Virginia

Switchbacks to Tully Hole

Creek

Silver Pass

Long Flat Stretch

Night 7 - Lake Edison Trail

Almost every day brought a major climb or two. Day 7's major climb was beautiful Silver Pass. This came at the end of the day after miles of gorgeous scenery as seen in the photos above. At the end of the day, they hiked a short distance out the Lake Edison Trail to set up camp. David had brought fishing gear hoping to catch dinner a few nights. In the end, he only caught one fish and it was too small to eat.

Marie Lakes

Sallie Keyes Lake

David asks for No Rain

Night 8 - Sallie Keyes Lake

Marie Lake was on the agenda for the next day. It was another one of the "most beautiful" lakes of the trip. They hiked on past the beauty and settled for a campsite at Sallie Keyes Lake. Perhaps the slightly threatening clouds pushed them a little further that day. Nevertheless, only a few sprinkles anointed them and they were happy campers. And, by the way, not a single bear had come around to enliven the surroundings.

Muir Trail Ranch

Fishing

Seldon Pass

Many Deer

Night 9 - Aspen Meadows

On Day 9, Tim & David resupplied at the Muir Trail Ranch. This required them to go off the JMT for a short distance but it was always good to get refreshed at a regular place! That evening, when they set up camp at Aspen Meadows, they saw several deer playing and foraging in the nearby river. Every campsite was chosen carefully to provide maximum protection from the elements.

Evolution Lake

Night 10 - Sapphire Lake

Evolution Lake was the next "most beautiful" lake. Unfortunately, Tim & David had to pass by quickly due to the severely dropping temperatures and the severely growing wind speed. Photos were taken anyway. When they reached their campsite for Night 10, the wind was howling. It took both of them to set up tents and large rocks were placed on them to weigh them down. Stakes could not be used in the rocky terrain. Having to turn in early, this was a miserable evening in the shadows of nearby mountains. Brrr! Luckily, the wind died down after sundown.

Night 10 - Sapphire Lake

Sapphire Lake

Peaceful

John Muir Shelter - No Camping

Wanda Lake

Peace Out

Nights 11 & 12 - Bishop Pass Trail Junction

The next morning brought sunshine and warmer weather. They visited the John Muir Shelter that he built of rock. Two of the nearby lakes were named for Muir's two daughters. Then, alas, they reached the Bishop Pass Trail junction. This was where David bid adieu to Tim and headed up through Dusy Basin and over the pass. He would pass Kay and friends on the trail before reaching the South Lake Trailhead. Enter Dennis! Dennis was now on his way up and over Bishop Pass to join Tim who was spending a welcomed zero day down at the JMT / Bishop Pass Trail junction.

An Angel in the Midst

Valley Day

Pass at End of Valley

Night 13 - Palisade Lake

Dennis' first day on the JMT was relatively (read relatively) easy. The trail passed through a long valley with small ups and downs. But, the end of the day, Tim & Dennis found themselves climbing and descending yet again. Dennis had some adjusting to do since he entered the JMT at a point where the elevation was at altitude. The first couple of days were challenging, however, his training pulled through. Tim and David had similar experiences in the beginning of their part of the hike.

Climbing Mather Pass

Long Day for Dennis

Night 14 - Lake Marjorie

The next day found the pair climbing Mather Pass. Sore knees. Sore toes. Sore backs. All had to be addressed on this formidable climb. Rocks were seen everywhere. They were omnipresent! And, cold! A cold wave had passed through the Eastern Sierras. Luckily, it didn't snow where they were hiking but the temperature was getting down to the low 20's at night. Dennis had a warm sleeping bag but Tim's was only good for 30 degrees. Again, Brrr! Tim's fingers were so frozen on a regular basis that he didn't want to do anything that would require dipping his fingers in the nearby streams; such as filtering and refilling water bottles. Hmmm.

River

Suspension Bridge

Night 15 - Arrowhead Lake

The next day, the trail led up through a valley with a rushing river. A suspension bridge had been built to accommodate hikers. On their approach, they saw a group of six hikers crossing the bridge at once! The sign read, "One hiker at a time!" After that, Tim & Dennis were slightly hesitant! There was only one place where Tim had to remove his shoes to cross a stream during the whole trip. Bridges (or something) were provided at all other crossings.

Arrowhead Lake

Fin Dome at Rae Lakes

Rae Lakes

Glen Pass

Ridge Trail at Glen Pass

Contour above Charlotte Lake

Night 16 - Center Basin Creek

The many large Rae Lakes and Glen Pass provided the entertainment for Day 16. After leaving a gorgeous sunrise at Arrowhead Lake, they passed the first of three Rae Lakes. Fin Dome rose sharply for a reflection photo. Another ranger station stands at the second and larger of the three lakes. Next came a switchbacked climb up to Glen Pass. The trail balanced the ridge at the top for a short distance which impressed the two hikers. After a switchbacked descent, they hiked along the contour and reached the junction of the High Sierra Trail. A little past this, they stopped to camp in the freezing temperatures.

Forrester Pass

Dennis arrives on Forrester Pass

Tim at Forrester Pass

Descent down built up Switchbacks

Pack Team

Night 17 - High Sierra Trail Junction

The cold wave was taking its toll. The hikers' fingers were frozen. Yes, there were warm gloves but some things just can't be done with gloves on, including dealing with water. I imagine there wasn't much bathing going on for a few days! Neoprene gloves would have been a good answer to the problem. Regardless, the hikers toughed it out with the end approaching. The trail on the side of a cliff built up with rocks was the excitement of the day! The next day would be short and the weather was warming a bit.

Night 18 - Guitar Lake

The short day took the hikers to Guitar Lake, a lake shaped like a huge guitar on the way up to the Mt. Whitney summit. This was the last night in the wilderness. The next day, the pair climbed the switchbacks to the shoulder. Tim had gone on ahead and turned to do the 2 mile spur trail to the peak while Dennis took his time on the steep ascent. Both hikers met at the shoulder after Tim's return from the peak and did the remaining descent down to Whitney Portal together.

Rising above Guitar Lake early in the Morning

Three-Way Trail Junction for Mt. Whitney Summit

Tim on Summit of Mt. Whitney

Mt. Whitney Summit Views

Mirror Lake

Descent from Mt. Whitney

Whitney Portal Arrival - Food! We need food!

A family event was going on down at the trailhead and they were happy to sell Tim and Dennis a large plate of food! John and Kay arrived about twenty minutes after the pair got to the trailhead. The two hikers were a bit haggard but very happy! I asked Tim if there was anything he would have done differently. He said he would have taken more time to smell more roses. Congratulations are well-deserved to all three of the adventurous backpackers!