I woke early at 5 AM to get a jump on completing my miles by mid-afternoon today. I wanted to rest. Two miles in I encountered a blowdown tree and went right to get over it at a narrower spot. Afterward I veered left to get back to the trail. Slowly I climbed and after about 45 minutes I was nearing the top and took out my phone to look at the GPS. To my surprise I was off trail. Huh? How did that happen? So back down to the trail I went. Finally after 45 minutes I again climbed over the tree and found myself on the PCT. What happened is that the tree blew down on a trail sign post where the PCT went left and the Tahoe-Yosemite Trail went right. When I climbed over the tree I accidentally merged with the right one. Argh! So I lost 3 miles of hiking right at the beginning of the day. I was not a happy hiker for the rest of the day. My desire to complete mid-afternoon was shot.

Although I’m now going through Desolation Wilderness, this lake and its reflection caught my eye.

From Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite (PCT mile 942) Justin and I hiked to Echo Lake (PCT mile 1092).

Justin told me this one us called The Nipple. Hmmmm, I wonder why?

It seems that the wind really blows at passes. I could barely hold the camera still to take this picture today.

Each night together we make dinner. We carry and cook separately. While we are hiking Justin thinks, talks and dreams about what he’ll have for dinner that night. This is not unusual for hikers. Many times I dream about getting several Coca-cola’s as soon as I get to town. Here is Justin about ready to eat Tortellini with Pesto sauce. I had Mountain House’s Chili Mac with Beef. Yum!

At Sonora Pass we were the beneficiaries of some trail magic. “Owl” had posted signs saying Sonora Pass Cafe. We were treated with Cokes, cookies topped with whip cream and chocolate cake also topped with whipped cream. So nice!

In addition there was a 1000 mile banner that you could have your picture taken with.

As we headed to Sonora Pass in the bitter cold and gusting wind there were numerous snow fields to cross. After one especially treacherous crossing Justin said it was the most dangerous thing he had ever done.