Day 34 - The End of the Trail...

Today the ladies awoke to a beautiful sunrise - the peaks of the Whitney massif bathed in the warm morning light from the east. I was 10,000 feet below them in the Alabama Hills outside Lone Pine, photographing the peaks glowing in this wonderful light.

Here is what dawn looked like!


Mt. Whitney at dawn through the "Mobius" arch, Alabama Hills...

Shortly thereafter, they made their final breakfast on the trail and packed up their tents and gear for the last time. Careful packing was not a priority on this morning as just one thing was on their minds - "The End of the Trail".


Janet tests her new antenna...

It was bittersweet - the call of the high country was strong but the time had come to say goodbye for now and return to the familiar - families, careers, obligations.

Once on the trail, they still had several miles to go, straight down, thousands of feet until they finally reached the Whitney Portal trailhead.


Lone Pine Lake - only a couple more miles to go!

There, a group of us were patiently awaiting their arrival with Champagne, Roses, Chocolate, warm smiles and big hugs & kisses!


Our "camp" at the trailhead...

Finally, we heard the melodic strains of "She'll Be Coming 'Round the Mountain When She Comes" floating down from the trail above. Somehow we knew, we would hear them before we would see them. Sure enough, here they came...


Nana gets a big hug from me...


Janet gets a big kiss from Linda...


Lisa and Karl celebrate...


Janet, Nana and Vicki...

After we wrapped up the celebration at the portal, we all headed down to the Owens Valley and north to Bishop. There we got checked into our hotel and relaxed. Some went swimming, some sat in the hot tub, some took naps. Before dinner, we all went to the famous "Mountain Light Gallery" and were awed by the photographic work of the late Galen and Barbara Rowell.

Then we headed to the nearby Whiskey Creek restaurant and enjoyed good wine, good food and good company. The ladies told some wonderful stories from the trail. We all toasted each other and those who were also part of the journey, Sheryl, Kris and Carrie.


Dinner at Whiskey Creek...

Thanks to all who have made comments and enjoyed sharing this journal with the ladies of the "Mud Tribe".

Also, a big thanks to the ladies and Karl for sharing their wonderful photographs and stories with me so that I could put this together. It has been a lot of fun.