Day 161: mile 749.5-766.3
My plan to strategically place my tent to soak in some morning sunshine was foiled by the clouds. I sure could’ve used a little warm up too, it was another cold night and morning up here at 11,099 feet. My motivation to get moving was lacking a bit as a result. The wind wasn’t helping either, it picked up around 2 am and made it quite challenging to pack up my tent.
The wind continued throughout the entire day. It was paticularly strong as I climbed up above Chicken Spring Lake, almost blowing me off the trail a few times. The view was beautiful though.
I began to see some SOBOs and John Muir Trail (JMT) hikers on the trail today, I imagine this will be a pretty common occurrence for the next few weeks. Some dark clouds also joined me on the trail. There was no lightening, so I wasn’t worried. It did begin to snow for a few minutes, but by the time I got my rain jacket out it had stopped of course.
I entered Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks and passed the turn off for the ranger station. A SOBO who had attempted to climb Mount Whitney was already set up for the day with the weather being what it was. He was determined to make it up, so he was planning to attempt tomorrow. I will not be making the side trip to summit Whitney during my PCT trek, I’ll come back for it another time. It meant another full day of food and this pack is heavy enough as it is. I do hope for good weather tomorrow for all our sakes since I’ll be going over Forester Pass at 13,200 feet.
Just after our conversation, I took my shoes off for a fairly shallow creek crossing. I was happy to see it was only about calf high.
I began my final climb for the day up a couple sets of switchbacks, and then down almost 1,000 feet to my campsite. On my descent I was able to look toward Whitney and see what I guess to be Mount Hitchcock and maybe even some of Whitney, it was beautiful.
From my campsite the alpenglow was magical as I looked out over the meadow and watched a few deer grazing. It was like something out of a dream. I set up my tent near Whitney Creek and the turn off for those who head to summit Mount Whitney. Somehow I had the place to myself.
I’m going to attempt to eat a little extra tonight, maybe my pack will feel a bit lighter for my journey up and over Forester Pass. I’m pretty excited for the views either way!
Goodnight!
XOXO Green Light