The trail down Piute Creek, eventually joining up with the Pacific Crest Trail. This trail was often steep, rugged, and long.
On paper it was all downhill today, for about 11 miles. I made my day’s goal, which was to reach the junction with the John Muir Trail, which is also part ofthe Pacific Crest Trail. The JMT starts in Yosemite Valley, climbs to Tuolumne Meadows and then heads south through the rugged heart of the Sierra high country, ending atop Mount Whitney. The PCT goes from Canada to Mexico, 2,663 miles in all. I would be allowed to share 28 of those miles with the real backpackers.
Today I had real doubts as to whether I’d make it. The pack hurt, my feet hurt, and I wasn’t sure I was up to the physical demands of the distance and climbs. I’d been in this place before, and figured I’d head on for one more day, then decide before irreversibly committed whether to continue or return the way I came. As I had been carrying a life’s dream to one day see Evolution Lake, this desire kept me going during these tough moments.
I remain grateful that I have the health and strength to get into this wild and beautiful country.
The night’s camp was at 8,000′, the lowest point of my trip and a 2,750′ drop from the previous night’s camp. I shared a campfire with Steve, another solo graybeard, with a nip of good Colcegan Santa Fe craft whiskey and good smoke, sharing life’s stories. Fires are only allowed below 10,400′ – 10,000′ where we were in Kings Canyon National Park, so this was a treat. I was surprised at the number of men in my age range – I’ll be 64 on the 20th – that I encountered on the trail. It seemed as though older men were the most common, and some older women; the oldest woman I met (and asked respectfully) was 77. We have the time and still have the health to pursue these dreams.