Tuesday night I camped with Dayhiker, Memphis, Train, Noamp and Squarepeg about 3.5 miles from a road that would take us into Mammoth Lakes the next day. We arranged a ride with a trail angel named Sugar Mama.
The next morning we hiked in to the parking lot at Horseshoe Lake. It was the first road I had seen since leaving Kennedy Meadows, nearly 2 weeks and over 200 miles of hiking ago. Sugar Mama met us there with coffee, bananas and brownies for a pre-breakfast. She drove the 6 of us and all our packs into town in her VW van, which doubles as her home. We went to a restaurant for breakfast and hung out there for a while.
After checking into a motel I had a long shower, went to lunch and the grocery store. The town of Mammoth Lakes is a bit larger than most of the towns I've stopped in so far. It's a nice looking place with lots of restaurants and outdoors stores. After buying a couple days' worth of food I caught a ride on the free trolley back to my room.
The next morning I did laundry. I think this picture is a bit out of focus, but it shows how dirty my clothes get and why I like to give them a pre-wash rinse in a sink or tub prior to tossing them in the washing machine.
For dinner I went to a pizza place across the street and got a large 16" pizza, thinking I'd eat most of it and have the rest later in my room. But I ate the whole thing; the hiker hunger is out of control, yet I think I'm still losing weight.
I slept in a bit this morning, still digesting last night's pizza. I mailed my microspikes home, didn't need them for walking on snow after all, then got a couple donuts at a bakery nearby. After I got packed I started hiking back to the trail. It was about 5 miles from town to where I got off the trail, but instead of trying to flag down a ride I decided to walk the nice bike path that goes all the way out there, passing a couple lakes and campgrounds along the way. Later in the year there will actually be a bus that goes up there.
Once back to the trailhead it was another 4 miles back to the trail. I got 12 more in just before it got dark. I should be able to make it to Tuolumne Meadows tomorrow.
The next morning we hiked in to the parking lot at Horseshoe Lake. It was the first road I had seen since leaving Kennedy Meadows, nearly 2 weeks and over 200 miles of hiking ago. Sugar Mama met us there with coffee, bananas and brownies for a pre-breakfast. She drove the 6 of us and all our packs into town in her VW van, which doubles as her home. We went to a restaurant for breakfast and hung out there for a while.
After checking into a motel I had a long shower, went to lunch and the grocery store. The town of Mammoth Lakes is a bit larger than most of the towns I've stopped in so far. It's a nice looking place with lots of restaurants and outdoors stores. After buying a couple days' worth of food I caught a ride on the free trolley back to my room.
The next morning I did laundry. I think this picture is a bit out of focus, but it shows how dirty my clothes get and why I like to give them a pre-wash rinse in a sink or tub prior to tossing them in the washing machine.
I slept in a bit this morning, still digesting last night's pizza. I mailed my microspikes home, didn't need them for walking on snow after all, then got a couple donuts at a bakery nearby. After I got packed I started hiking back to the trail. It was about 5 miles from town to where I got off the trail, but instead of trying to flag down a ride I decided to walk the nice bike path that goes all the way out there, passing a couple lakes and campgrounds along the way. Later in the year there will actually be a bus that goes up there.
Once back to the trailhead it was another 4 miles back to the trail. I got 12 more in just before it got dark. I should be able to make it to Tuolumne Meadows tomorrow.
I have just been reflecting on all the adventures you have had in the past two months - the other hikers you have met, the trail angles who have been so gracious, and the amazing scenery. But most of all I am realizing how the PCT has let me get more of a glimpse of who you are and what you are accomplishing.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete