Day 15: These Legs Were Built For Walking

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

1.5 miles south of Center Basin Creek (mile 198.6) to Guitar Lake (mile 217.2).

Today's miles: 18.6
Trip miles: 217.2

Today started out as a frightening, restless, wet day but blossomed into yet another fabulous, fulfilling day of hiking.

When I went to bed last night, the skies had cleared and the universe displayed millions of its finest stars for my viewing pleasure. It was beautiful. But that all changed around midnight. The ol' saying goes: "It never rains at night in the Sierras during summer." Someone forgot to tell that to the vicious storm that soaked us from 3 am til 6 am. But the rain and wind weren't the only factors..the lightning and thunder were downright scary!

I'll let the videos provide the details.

Needless to say, I got a late start as the rain didn't stop til just after 6 am. I hit the trail at 8 am and felt great. So too did my legs and feet, despite a restless night.

Cold morning after a wet night

rough trail headed to Forester Pass

Rugged and beautiful

trail leading to the clouds

At 9:40 am, I reached Forester Pass, the tallest pass on the John Muir Trail at 13,200 feet.

Forester Pass - Highest pass on the John Muir Trail

I ate my cereal, took a few photos, met an AT alum - trail name Goose, and at 10 am sped down the trail. After the first 15 or so switchbacks, the trail was the most gentle of the entire JMT, allowing me to hike faster than my usual pace without beating up my feet.

flat, smooth trail with incredible 360 degree views

beautiful landscape south of Forester Pass

Past the Shepherd Pass Trail Junction, the views became very dramatic. There were many storms in the area and from vistas like the Bighorn Plateau, they seemed very surreal.

showers in the distance...luckily I'm not headed that way!

headed right into it

By 3:30 pm I had covered 15:5 miles and still felt amazing. I felt I could summit Whitney if I wanted to.

Just then, the clouds broke apart and the bright, warm sun came into view. This was my chance. I sprang into action. I unloaded by pack and started drying everything - including my sleeping bag, air pad, tent and clothes.

I chatted up hikers who passed by, sat around eating, and even wrote notes to the wolfpack and the T.O. trio, which I taped to the trail sign.

message in a ziploc bag

Finally, around 4:45 pm, I collected my belongings and hit the trail once more. But I felt gassed. My legs wouldn't move, but my spirits were still high. Though the last few miles were tough, I slowly made my way up the trail, stopping by to pick up my 'toilet on the go' a.k.a. the wag bag. Because I felt sluggish, I opted to skip the visit to the pit toilet at Crabtree Meadow, but had a smile painted on my face as I recalled last year's visit to that awesome toilet. The scenery and some cool trees also kept my spirits high all the way to Guitar Lake.

pack it out!!!

very cool, symmetrical tree

I arrived at Guitar Lake at 6 pm and quickly set up my tent. Then, I made a beeline to the lake for dinner and a soak.

Guitar Lake

Walking back to my camp, I ran into Chris and Dwayne, the fellas I met at Rae Lakes two days ago. We chatted for a bit and then retreated to the comfort of our tents as the temperature dropped significantly.

Before I went into my tent I decided to stretch for a few minutes and boy am I glad I did. The alpenglow caused by the setting sun was remarkable. For most of the evening, the sun hid behind the clouds, but at the very last moment, it treated us to a sight I will never tire of.

Once in my tent, I began to think about all the miles I've covered thus far. I can't believe that I have walked over 200 miles! Looking at my JMT atlas, only pages 42 and 43 remain. When in Yosemite weeks earlier, I couldn't even fathom covering all of those pages, yet here I am. It feels amazing to be here, on this trail, at this very moment.

It's almost hiker midnight and I plan to rise at 4 am and be on the trail by 5. Summit day tomorrow and the last of my trip!

Hoping to stay dry tonight.
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”The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness.” ~John Muir

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