Tyndall Creek (774.1) to Independence (788.9)
Miles today - 14.8 PCT + 7.3 side trail = 22.1
I thought it would be impossible to top the incredible day we had yesterday, but today managed to do it. We climbed up to Forester Pass (13,200'), the high point on the PCT (Whitney was a side trip off the PCT).
Above: Approaching Forester. It's the V-shaped notch in the ridge ahead.
The trail was carved right into the cliff face.
The views all day were simply stunning. Descending from the pass we crossed alpine meadows with lakes and streams, and towering peaks in every direction. It's hard to put the Sierra into words. It might be the most beautiful place I've ever hiked.
Above: Our lunch spot. If you look closely you can see Bronco, Yankee Son, Hallmark, and Just Retired across the lake.
We wanted to push on to town but there were big storm clouds building in the afternoon and we still had to go over another high pass.
We decided to go for it and we raced up Kearsarge Pass and literally ran down the long descent to the trailhead as rain started to fall.
There was trail magic there and we got a ride down into Independence. I'm staying at a motel with Bronco and Macho Taco. Fairway decided to camp on the edge of town. Hallmark and Yankee Son are spending the night in Lone Pine. And nobody has seen Just Retired since lunch, so it's unknown whether he made it into town. The group will probably be splitting up since we all have different plans from here. Fairway and I will get back on the trail on Saturday, while everyone else is staying in town until Sunday. We've all been hiking together for hundreds of miles so it's kind of sad to be going separate ways. Hopefully we'll all see each other down the road.
No comments:
Post a Comment