Archive for June 2012
Day 66
Today’s Miles: 14.8
Total PCT Miles: 1018.3
Last night was the first night in over 6 weeks that I camped by myself. I took advantage of not worrying about disturbing anyone and was hiking by 6:00 AM. I was confronted by over 3600 feet in elevation gain and wanted to get to Sonora Pass as early as possible since I was looking at hitching into Bridgeport.
The below shot is looking back toward the canyon where I slept.
There was one section that was challengingly steep, but the rest of the trail allowed for a steady pace. I arrived at Highway 108 a little after noon. My attempt to hitchhike was having no success when a gentleman came down the trail and asked if I was a thru hiker. He said there was trail magic in the parking lot. I was reluctant to leave the trail, but could not pass up the temptation of chocolate cake and soda. It turned out to be a good decision. I scored a ride to Bridgeport from a guy from San Diego giving hikers rides as he waits for his girlfriend to join him hiking.
I checked into the Ruby Inn, took a shower and headed to the laundromat.
Big 4th of July celebration going on in Bridgeport. Will take a zero tomorrow.
Day 65
Today’s Miles: 20.5
Total PCT Miles: 1003.5
Slept well last night and was hiking at 7:00 AM. Got my feet wet right off the bat having to ford the creek beside the campground. Then had a fairly steep but short 600 foot climb. After that the trail stayed hiker friendly all day. Think we went up a total of 2000 feet and down 2000 feet, but all were gradual.
Significant happenings today:
• The first day of the entire hike that I have not seen one four legged creature.
• Left Yosemite National Park. That means bear canisters are no longer required. I will mail mine home at the first opportunity.
• Saw my first Bald Eagle. It flew about 50 feet above my head. Really a sight to behold. • Went past the 1000 mile mark.
Shortly after passing the 1000 mile mark, I found the below note in the trail from Busted Magic. Touching.
I am camped by myself tonight.
Day 64
Today’s Miles: 21
Total PCT Miles: 983
This will likely be short. It was a long hard 21 miles. Had three fairly hard climbs, several blow downs, and a steep rocky descent at the end of the day that kept my pace down. The 2nd climb is shown below.
I started hiking at 7:00 AM and got into the campground at 7:45 PM. Just had time to get my tent set up and cook dinner before it got dark.
Camped here tonight are Busted Magic, Banana Pants, Texas Chill, Cue Ball, Beardo, Tarheal, Jeremiah Johnson, and myself.
Cue Ball caught and cooked up some trout that he shared with all. Very tasty.
Day 63
Today’s Miles: 17.4
Total PCT Miles: 962.4
I slept warm through the night, but woke to a cold morning. There was condensation inside my tent that was frost. When I touched the tent it would drop like snow.
I broke camp quickly, ate a power bar, and started hiking to take the chill off. I stopped about 9:00 for breakfast by the waterfall below.
The rest of the day was for the most part in tall pines with limited views. There were also numerous blow downs that slowed progress.
Mid afternoon we came to a very pretty mountain lake, Lake Miller, where we took an extended break. I took off my shoes and socks and waded in. The water was cold, but it felt good. It was nice to be able to wash off my legs. Although I hike in long pants, the trail dust makes my legs dirty to above my knees.
Day 62
Today’s Miles: 12
Total PCT Miles: 945
Woke up after a cold night. There was frost along the trail as I started hiking the 9 miles to Tuolumne Meadows. I arrived at the store at a few minutes after 11:00 AM. The Meadows Grill stopped serving breakfast at 11:30 so I was in time to have eggs, ham, and home fries. I had a cheeseburger and fries at 12:30. Spent the afternoon relaxing at some picnic tables out front, resupplied at the store for the next 4 days, had a nice conversation with Joyce, and had chili from the grill at 4:30. Got back on the trail at 5:00 with Banana Pants and Busted Magic.
Our goal was to only hike an hour or so. We stopped after 3 miles.
The photo below is looking back toward Donahue Pass from a meadow we were hiking in this morning.
I included a photo of a marmot in yesterday’s entry. Other than mentioning the deer at Agnew Meadow, I have not really commented very much on the wildlife I have seen. The trail is a live with a variety of birds. One that I never saw (nor heard) before is a grouse. In the Sierras, I see multiple deer, marmots, and chipmunks daily. I have yet to see a bear.
Day 61
Today’s Miles: 18
Total PCT Miles: 933
Last night, just as I was getting into my tent, I glanced out on Agnew Meadows and saw a deer grazing. I enjoyed watching it for a few minutes.
I never know what the temperature is. I have a thermometer on my watch, but it is inaccurate because I always wear it. I do know it got cold. I was up and hiking by 7:00 AM.
The morning started with a climb (seems most mornings start with a climb) up Agnew Pass. Some of the views were so spectacular that they brought tears to my eyes.
This afternoon there was a long 2,000 foot plus climb up Donahue Pass (elevation 11,075 feet). When we (Busted Magic, Sanray, and myself) got to the top a friendly marmot bothered us while we took a break.
It seems most of my blog entries are about the same – I got up, hiked so many miles, and went to bed. It probably doesn’t help that I generally write my daily entry at the end of the day from the warmth of my sleeping bag. I will start trying to add a comment or two about a hike related impression, event, etc.
The spectacular scenery today caused me to reflect on how too often we are so focused on the 6 feet right in front of us that we miss a magnificent view or don’t take time to pause and enjoy those that we do see. I am going to try and do better.
Day 60
Today’s Miles: 22
Total PCT Miles: 915
I woke up at 6:00 with frost on my sleeping bag. (I had cowboy camped if you recall.)
A good hiking day. No major ups and downs. The area we went through had really been hit hard by blow downs, but the trail maintenance crews have done a super job of clearing the trail. I conservatively estimate they have cleared over a thousand trees. We are not talking small trees either and it is all done by hand. The US Forest Service does not allow chain saws.
Some John Muir Trail hikers told us yesterday the store at Red Meadows opened 2 days ago so we on a mission to do the 13 miles as quickly possible. Passed the 900 mile mark mid-morning.
I also had Verizon service late morning and was able to speak with Joyce.
Arrived Red Meadows a little after noon. I had a beer, cheeseburger, and a slice of cherry pie.
I was back on the trail by 2:30 and hiked 7 more miles.
I agreed today to be the Co-Chairman for Honoring Their Service 2013 and the Chair for 2014.
Mike “Just Retired” Tarman
“Hiking to Honor Their Service”
Http://Hiking-the-PCT.com
Day 59
Today’s Miles: 16.5 (15 PCT miles)
Total PCT Miles: 893
Had breakfast at VVR and caught the 9:00 ferry. I was hiking by 9:30 and back on the PCT a little after 10:00.
The day started as most seem to do with a long climb. Today it was 3900 feet over 6 miles to the top of Silver Pass (elevation 10,938 feet).
The progress the rest of the day was agonizingly slow because of the countless trees blown down on the trail.
Limited tent space tonight so I am cowboy camping. Camping with Busted Magic, Banana Pants, and Sanjay.
The photo below is me on Silver Pass.
Mike “Just Retired” Tarman
“Hiking to Honor Their Service”
Http://Hiking-the-PCT.com
Day 58
Today’s Miles: 6.5 (5 PCT miles)
Total PCT Miles: 878
We were on the trail at 6:00 AM. I needed to be at the Edison Lake Ferry landing by 9:45 to catch the ferry (pontoon boat) to Vermilion Valley Resort.
I quickly covered the 5 miles to the turn off for the ferry, bid farewell to Yankee Son and Hallmark, and headed for the ferry. I arrived at 8:45 and sat talking with Busted Magic and Banana Pants until the boat arrived.
We made it to VVR just before the restaurant closed so an omelet seemed in order. After that, I got settled into the hiker tent, took a shower ($6), and did laundry ($6). A cheeseburger for lunch and then a very frustrating afternoon trying to get my blog updated using wifi that went in and out. When it was “in,” it was very slow. (No phone service at VVR.)
A steak for dinner. Back to the trail in the morning.
Mike “Just Retired” Tarman
“Hiking to Honor Their Service”
Http://Hiking-the-PCT.com
Day 57
Today’s Miles: 21.2
Total PCT Miles: 873.6
Today we hiked up Selden Pass (elevation 10,906 feet).
We were hiking by 7:00 as become our norm. The first 2 hours were down hill along the San Juaquin River. It was really pretty as it roared through a small canyon.
The climb up Selden was reportedly one of the easiest passes. Not so. There were some easy sections, but we had over 3,900 feet in a little under 7 miles. To make matters worse, the mosquitoes were out in force. The picture below is looking south from Selden.
As I was hiking today I caught glimpse through the trees of some strange animal approaching me. I could not believe my eyes when it came into full view. It was a small Yorkie. Its owner came along a few seconds later.
Mike “Just Retired” Tarman
“Hiking to Honor Their Service”
Http://Hiking-the-PCT.com
