Day 15 - Marsh Lake to Silver Pass Lake...

The ladies left Marsh Lake and headed south. Along the way, they passed the beautiful "Lake of the Lone Indian"...


Lake of the Lone Indian...

They also re-joined the JMT near Goodale Pass...


"Gee...that signpost looks familiar..."

Along the way, they enjoyed some wonderful High Sierra flora and photographed these beautiful Wild Orchids...


Wild Orchids...

...and these old growth Redwoods...


Vicki and Kris...

They made their camp for the evening at Silver Pass Lake, el 10,350' and apparently froze their butts off. Temps in the Sierras were down below freezing this night.

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Janet is apparently feeling better and is planning on re-joining the group at Vermilion Valley Resort. She and Linda headed down that way a bit early with all the re-supply caches and a few other assorted goodies! I hope that they enjoyed the drive there - I hear that it is a bitch of a road! They even have a T-Shirt for sale at the resort that proclaims that "I Survived the Road to Vermilion"!

Day 14 - Fish Creek to Marsh Lake...

The ladies hiked south from Fish Creek through the canyon and up to Marsh Lake where they spent the evening. This trail is west of and basically parallels the John Muir Trail. Along the way, they found the beautiful Fish Creek Hot Springs where they took a break and enjoyed the crystal clear waters...


Fish Creek Hot Springs...


Time for a dip...

Finally, later in the afternoon, they arrived at Marsh Lake, a gem in the woods.


Marsh Lake Panoramic...


Another view...

Day 13 - Red's Meadow to Fish Creek...

When everyone is up and packing, Janet makes the decision that she will be pulling out for at least the next leg to Vermillion. This will give her shin a better chance to heal so that she can re-join the group for the push to Mt. Whitney. Linda has already made the decision that she too will not be returning to the trail. Her knees simply would not cooperate with the pounding that the route was handing out.

So, with that, we're down to three hikers for the next leg. Nana, Vicki and Kris, loaded their packs and got ready to hit the trail. Somehow, Bill managed to stuff all the gear that was going back, plus Linda and Janet into the Subaru. It was a tight fit, but he managed to do it.


Janet, Vicki, Kris, Nana and Linda...

Today's route took the ladies through an area burned in a wildfire in 1992. Their destination - Deer Creek, some 6+ miles distant. However, they got on the wrong trail and ended up at Fish Creek, 8+ miles away in the same area but somewhat west of their intended route.


"We thought it was the JMT"...

That night, they camped at Fish Creek and found the accomodations quite nice...


Fish Creek Campsite...

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The ladies are scheduled to have their next re-supply and layover later this week at the Vermilion Valley Resort, approximately 35 miles south of Red's. I will not be able to meet them there but will do my best to keep this journal updated as I hear from them. It might be tough to get photos from the trail but I will add them to the appropriate days as I can get them.

Stay tuned...

Day 12 - Layover, Red's Meadow...

After a night's sleep, everyone gets to relax. Janet has decided that she will rest all day, minimizing her walking time to see if her leg will heal sufficiently to allow her to continue on Saturday for the next leg south. The rest of the gang decides to explore a bit. The Devil's Postpile National Monument is only a couple of miles away. All but Janet hop into Bill's car and head over there. After a short 1/2 mile walk, the postpile becomes visible along the trail.


Devil's Postpile...

The Devils Postpile formation is a rare sight in the geologic world and ranks as one of the world’s finest examples of columnar basalt. Its columns tower 60 feet high and display an unusual symmetry.

Another wonder is in store just downstream from the Postpile at Rainbow Falls, once called “a gem unique and worthy of its name.” When the sun is overhead, a bright rainbow highlights the spectacular falls.


Rainbow Falls...

After visiting the Postpile, most of the gang heads back into Mammoth Lakes to do some grocery shopping. We've decided that the fare at the Mulehouse Cafe ain't so great and are thinking that BBQ'd steaks and chicken sound a might better. Of course, a bottle of wine or two won't hurt either.

After returning, I wandered around a bit with my macro lens and found some local flora and fauna...


Ladybug...


Queen Anne's Lace...

After a wonderful dinner, everyone settles in for the evening. Around midnight, we are all awakened by a friendly bear who decided that he wanted a closer look at our cooler parked outside the front door. Although there is no food in it (only beer, sodas and water), he still knocks it over and makes a racket. I get up and go outside, scaring him away. He decides that maybe some of the other cabins have better pickings and splits...

Now, after we all settle down, the mice start in nibbling on something in the kitchen. Needless to say, not all of us got a great night's sleep...

Day 11 - Mammoth Mountain to Red's Meadow Resort...

After breakfast on the patio, the ladies took the trolley into the town of Mammoth Lakes. Here they spilt up and some went shopping and some went to the local hospital...


Posing...


Clang, clang goes the trolley...


Janet gets her leg looked at...Ouch!

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The doctor tells Janet that she does not have a stress fracture. But, she does have a severe shin splint. The treatment - "STAY OFF THE LEG!" I think the diagnosis hurts more than the leg...

While Janet and Linda are at the hospital, Nana, Kris and Vicki go shopping. Nana buys a new tent as her current one is wet all the time. Vicki buys some new clothes and Kris replaces her nice sunglasses that went swimming during a water crossing. This time, she also adds a "floatie" eyeglass strap.

About this time, I arrive in town with the re-supply goodies, more booze, snacks and gear. I meet Janet at the Mammoth Mountain Resort and we head into Red's Meadow Resort to secure the cabins which we will have for the next two nights.



Red's is at the bottom of a long, deep canyon (el 7750'), literally behind Mammoth Mountain. The rest of the ladies will take the shuttle from Mammoth and arrive a bit later...


Nana's and my cabin...


The "Mulehouse Cafe"...

After everyone arrives, we all go to the cafe for dinner. We are a bit late so we miss the standard meal but settle for hamburgers and sandwiches. Ah...but dessert is homemade pie a-la-mode...Very Nice!

Before everyone heads off for bed, Nana and I head to the top of the canyon to catch sunset over the Minarets and Nana is able to make a few cell phone calls to family and friends...


Crescent moon over the Minarets...

Day 10 - Thousand Island Lake to Mammoth Mountain...

The ladies pack up and head south again towards Garnet Lake, another jewel in this part of the Sierra.


As they come around the bend, they are treated to a beautiful sight...


At the outlet to Garnet Lake, the gals stop for a rest and some lunch.


Another view from above...

Unfortunately, Linda's knees are not doing well and Janet's leg is really bothering her. She is afraid that she has suffered a stress fracture. They talk about the options and make the decision to leave the John Muir Trail and head downhill to a spot below Garnet Lake where they can pick up the Pacific Crest Trail. Here they can divert to the Agnew Meadows trailhead to catch the Mammoth Mountain Shuttle and a ride to the resort there. This will cut off several miles of trail and put them into civilization one day early.


Nana climbs a rock to make cell phone contact with me and advises of their plans...


Their "off trail" diversion takes them down a snow chute - some glissading is involved...


This route also involved a tricky water crossing. Luckily for the girls, there is another group there with ropes and a kind hand to assist...


Once on the PCT, they enter the Ansel Adams Wilderness. Not long afterwards, they make it to the trailhead and flag down a passing bus...


The Mammoth Mountain Inn...

Here they score a $500 a night condo for a mere $99. Hot baths, a great gourmet meal (that costs more than the condo!) and a good night's rest is just what the doctor ordered...

Day 9 - Layover, Thousand Island Lake...

After a good night's rest, the ladies awoke to a spectacular morning.


The perfect reflection...

They broke out the fishing gear and apparently could not go wrong. Every cast resulted in another beautiful "Lunker" for the night's dinner.


Rainbows and Browns...

During the day, the gals decided to erect a shelter for some much needed shade. Utilizing their hiking poles, ropes, ponchos, tarps, etc., they came up with the perfect spot to spend the afternoon. They found that if you soaked a bandana with "Deet" and draped it over your head, you could almost ward off the hoards of mosquitoes that were a constant.


The "Deet Tent"...

When it came time to cook their bounty of fish, the ladies found some flat, thin rocks and got them nice and hot over the campfire. Next, they poured some fresh olive oil mixed with garlic over the sizzling rocks and cooked their fish to perfection. Talk about a gourmet meal!


Afterwards, it was time for relfection and relaxation as the sun set over Banner Peak...

Day 8 - Upper Lyell Canyon to Thousand Island Lake...

The gals started the day with a wet camp.



After getting packed up, they started the climb towards Donohue Pass, 11,056'. Along the way, they encountered some snowfields and more water crossings...


Nana and Janet about to get wet again...


On the other side, the trail was quite visible as it passed through more lush greenery.


Along the way, the Yellow Bellied Marmots were a regular sight on the trail...

Once over Donohue Pass, the ladies made their way southeast towards Island Pass, their final obstacle on this long day to Thousand Island Lake where they were planning on enjoying an layover day on Tuesday.


Nana makes her way across a snowfield...


Linda and Vicki do the same...


Beautiful tarn near Island Pass...


Almost there - Banner Peak visible in the distance...


Thousand Island Lake...their camp for the next two nights...

After they made camp and settled in for the evening, the ladies were treated to a beautiful sunset over the lake with Banner Peak in the background...



Tomorrow - some rest and relaxation. Linda's knees are killing her and Janet's leg is also quite sore.

Day 7 - Tuolumne Meadows to Upper Lyell Canyon...

Refreshed from the layover day, the ladies, including their new members, are ready for the trail south. Unfortunately, Sheryl has decided to pull out due to her knee problems. After everyone is packed and ready to go, Bill gives the group a ride to the trailhead. After some morning sprinkles, the weather clears. Everyone hopes it stays that way. No one believes that it will though as the forecast is for more afternoon and evening thunderstorms.

As the group bids farewell to Bill and Sheryl, they head south into Lyell Canyon.


Nana, Kris, Sheryl, Linda, Janet and Vicki...

The first few miles were relatively level and they walked through lush meadows full of wildflowers on a well beaten path...



However, as the morning turned into afternoon, along came the usual thunderstorms. They stopped for lunch under darkening skies and Kris tried her luck with the rod and reel...



Apparently the fish weren't biting and they headed on up the canyon towards Donohue Pass and their camp for the night. After a bit, the weather cleared again and they started the climb towards blue skies.



They made camp in the upper reaches of the canyon and settled in for the evening.

Day 6 - Layover, Tuolumne Meadows...

After a nights sleep on real beds, with full bellies and clean clothes, the group heads back up to Tuolumne Meadows and gets a campsite at the campground. After everyone gets set up, folks wander and explore while taking a day off. For the new members of the group, it's one more day to get themselves acclimated to the altitude and ready for the challenges ahead on the trail.

During the day, Bill takes advantage of the light for some photographic opportunities...


The rugged peaks near Tioga Pass...


The meadows are lush and full of wildflowers...

As the afternoon wears on though, the thunderstorms appear for their daily downpour. Most of the group retreats to their tents to wait it out but Bill and Nana jump in the car to look for some sunset photo opportunities. They are not disappointed!


Tuolumne Meadows Sunset...

The sunset was simply spectacular. There were clouds, wind, rain, lightning and unbelievable color. After it's all over, it's time for bed. It will be a long day for the group tomorrow as they gear up for the week's travels - Tuolumne Meadows to Red's Meadows Resort near Mammoth Lakes, California...