Saturday June 7th 2014
It is cold again, but this time not freezing. I wake once to wee and stare at the amazing array of stars that twinkle overhead the skies here are so clear. But it is cold so I crawl back into my sleeping bag and drift off again, curled into my little ball.
I wake at six and I stuff my things away- I’m ready to go by 6:25. A good time. I put on frozen shoes, yanking the laces to get them loose. I pour water and milk powder into my mug then pour in a handful of mixed breakfast granola nuts fruit and then it is time to hike.
I feel good today. I feel happy. I feel alive. No ache or pains yet. I push on I am hiking through dry pine forest, then I am climbing up the sides of mountains
I begin to hear voices and then come across a family who are day hiking after the normal chats and wow you’re the hiking the whole trail they advise me to take this trail Duck Lake Pass.
I make my way to Duck Lake Pass and I begin to climb, up and up, past a series of glittering blue lakes, their tops in ice. It is very snowy as I trudge along, post-holing in the noonday sun. But soon I’m coming down and I can see people, clean people nice smelling day hikers.
“Like birds! Like when you’re at sea and you see birds, and you know you’re nearing land.”
Taken from Carrots blog but just so true
At last I am at the trailhead, I take an obligatory dump in a pit toilet, well it would be rude not too and a few minutes later there’s a road where a shuttle miraculously appears- the free shuttle to Mammoth Lakes., I wriggle out of my pack as the bus stops and climb aboard, amazed to be moving by means other than my two feet. The shuttle winds around several lakes and clean smelling day hikers get on and off. I am in Mammoth Lakes, warm sun beating down, a bustling town. I pass by the Brewery, this will do me an English man and beer
I sat in the sun with other smelly hikes and a few familiar faces
And began to savour my pint of Epic IPA 6.5% then ordered a burger and fries and another beer this was a stout and mmm very nice .
Okay one more then I must make a move
Okay I’m fed and water need to get out of here as I’m about to leave a lady asks me if I need a ride as she is dropping her son who is a ranger back up at the park!
Yes please
we drive up towards one of the mountains past numerous deserted but massive ski ramps ,lifts and chairs round and round we drive until we pulled into a parking bay
I got out and thanked my driver. then walked over with Steve who was talking over on the gate house .
There is a steady stream of car waiting at the barrier to be let into the park..
I had arrived at the Minaret summit entrance
Steve tells me to continue down this road for about 3 miles keeping left and I will eventually re-join the pct.
I thanked him slipped past the barrier and made my way down the road .
It was fairly narrow in places and so I had to stand well in as cars approached
I continued on pausing to take in the views of the huge mammoth mountains all around me .
Down and down I plodded in the warm sunshine eventually I came tom a sign pointing to the PCT Hurrah I walked along a trail and there in front was a trail register
Down and down I plodded in the warm sunshine, eventually I came tom a sign pointing to the Agnew Meadows and the PCT Hurrah I walked along a trail and there in front was a trail register mile I am at mile 906
As I wrote my name mobbed by mossies so quickly hiked on . I wasn’t gaining to go too far just to escape the town and then find somewhere to sleep
I set off across a fresh green meadow but a hill loomed in front of my the switchbacks very plain to see and so soon I was climbing , climbing but was struggling a little.
I wonder if that has anything to do with the beer tasting . okay that will do I found a spot just off trail swept the area removing stones and sticks then my tent was up . Just behind there was a rocky outcrop which I climbed and watched an amazing sunset
Before cooking my supper and sleep
snailtrainers Adventures 