Tagged with 2012 PCT Trail Journal …

August 5 – Half Dome at Sunrise

August 5 – Half Dome at Sunrise

Above Half Dome Junction, up Half Dome, and out to Yosemite Valley 9 miles My face hurts from smiling all day. It was that good! As I started up the trail by headlamp to Half Dome, it occurred to me, crap I am going to be climbing the cables in the dark. Half Dome’s famous … Continue reading »

August 4 – Clouds Rest

August 4 – Clouds Rest

Tuolumne Meadows to 1/2 mile north of junction to Half Dome 23.1 miles This trek through the Sierras has spurred a personal transformation of sorts. I like to think of myself as a person that lives just outside the box. Although I often stay inside for too long and a long challenging backpack is like … Continue reading »

August 3 – Zero in Tuolumne

August 3 – Zero in Tuolumne

Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple. ~Dr. Seuss One of the dreams I have to end this trip proper is to climb Clouds Rest and Half Dome on the way down to Yosemite Valley. I needed a special permit from the park to climb Half Dome. A couple of years ago … Continue reading »

August 2 – Yosemite!

August 2 – Yosemite!

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream…” ~C.S. Lewis High Trail above Agnew Meadows to Tuolumne Meadows 22.5 miles Ansel Adams Wilderness is a land of running water, beautiful lakes, dramatic mountains, and gentle terrain. With each step toward Tuolumne Meadows there is something new to discover … Continue reading »

August 1 – The Perfect View

When your heart speaks, take good notes. ~Judith Campbell Duck Pass Trail Junction to High Trail above Shadow Lake 15.7 walking miles 8 bus miles I don’t even know how to begin about today… I cruised the 10 miles into Red Meadow to enjoy a very lengthy lunch (3 hours). On the way I ran … Continue reading »

July 31 – Up and Down I Go

Keep your head up, keep your heart strong, keep your mind-set in your way, keep your heart strong. -from Keep Your Head Up by Ben Howard VVR trail junction to Duck’s Lake junction 17 miles If you were to ask me to describe the trail of the JMT, I would have to say STEEP. You … Continue reading »

July 30 – Nero at VVR

Bright as a Full Moon -Eat, Sleep, Hike blog This morning I had breakfast with 2 cool young gentleman, Scott and Aedhan. Cool partly because they let me eat with them, but mostly because they have just graduated from high school, live back east, and are doing the JMT. That is impressive. It takes a … Continue reading »

July 29 – Service and VVR

A man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9 Blayney Hot Springs to Vermillion Valley Resort 23.5 miles The photos today are from my iPhone because my battery in my camera died and my spare battery is an off brand and kept turning off. Lesson learned, do not buy off brand … Continue reading »

July 28 – All Downhill to the Hot Springs

If you think you’re too small to have an impact, try going to bed with a mosquito in the room. Muir Pass to Blayney Hot Springs 18 miles Oh baby It was all downhill today. All eighteen miles of it, passing through Evolution Basin and Valley, that features some of the most beautiful lakes surrounded … Continue reading »

July 27 – Sunset/Sunrise on Top Muir Pass

The woman who follows the crowd will usually go no further than the crowd. The woman who walks alone is likely to find herself in places no one has ever been before. ~Albert Einstein Palisade Lake to Muir Pass 18.5 miles There are many super great perks for getting on the trail early in the … Continue reading »

July 26 – Pinchot and Mather Passes

Today is a perfect day for a perfect day. ~Unconditional Love Above Twin Lakes to Lower Palisade Lake 16 miles I personally think I am camped at the most beautiful place on Earth. I did ford a stream to get to the location. It is private and on a small peninsula sitting right under the … Continue reading »

July 25 – Blue Skies/Glen Pass

Above Vidette Meadow to above Twin Lakes 16.5 miles For some stupid reason I was wide awake most of the night. What a bother! I spent a very large part of this very clear skied day yawning. Today I saw a few hikers going south on the JMT. That is the usual route people hike, … Continue reading »

July 24 – Hang on Tight/Forester Pass

Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to hike in the rain. Wallace Creek to above Vidette Meadow 18 miles What an amazing day. The weather pattern continued so I got started early to beat some of the storm. Today I climbed Forester Pass, the tallest pass on the JMT/PCT … Continue reading »

July 23 – Sunrise on Mount Whitney

Greetings from the top of Mount Whitney! I got a great start this morning and was able to enjoy God’s abundance in full throttle! Right now I have cell service at the top so I am posting this now, it is just too beautiful. Happy day all!

July 22 – Hiking with a Horse

Horseshoe Meadow Trail Head to Crabtree Meadow Ranger Station 20 miles I hiked into Chicken Spring Lake last night and got into camp about 8:00 pm. Just about when I was ready for bed a man and his 2 sons hiked in. It was so great to see the boys excitement when they saw the … Continue reading »

JMT Bound

Redirection is good. Right?. The PCT in Northern Oregon needs a couple more weeks to clear of snow. Hard to believe, but true. I tried but I just don’t think finishing the Oregon section of the Pacific Crest Trail was in my destiny this summer. With permit, bear canister, 8 days of food, and 3 … Continue reading »

Pics and Plans

“The more you celebrate your life, the more there is to celebrate.” ~Oprah Winfrey After a brief rest I am off and running and hope to be back on the trail in Oregon the week of July 16th with a new strategy. My hope is that some of the snow has melted by then, that … Continue reading »

June 30 – When to Turn Back

The phrase “do not be afraid” is written in the Bible 365 times. That’s a daily reminder from God to live every day being fearless. Mile 1854 to mile 1858 and unknown miles cross-country to Diamond Lake Unknown miles I do not even know where to begin. Giving up is not something I do very … Continue reading »

June 29 – Be Careful What You Wish For

Crater Lake Rim Oregon to South of Mount Thielsen (mile 1854) Crater National Park and Mount Thielsen Wilderness 20 miles Transportation to Crater Lake went off super smooth. I was feeling excited about sailing through Oregon. I have always heard it is easy miles because there are not large amounts of elevation gains and losses. … Continue reading »

June 28 – Zero in Dunsmuir

Tomorrow morning early I will be riding the Amtrak train from the Dunsmuir Train Station to Klamath Falls, then catching a trolley to Crater Lake. Last year I rode this same trolley from Crater Lake to Klamath Falls. It was fun and am looking forward to the experience again. Dunsmuir is a great little town … Continue reading »

June 27 – Love and Generosity

I am spoiled rotten. Cross Cut, Recycle, and I had the good fortune to enjoy the very generous hospitality of Nathan, Mona, and Bruce in Mount Shasta City. We thankfully showered, did laundry, resupplied, ran errands, lavished in a soft cozy bed, and enjoyed healthy delicious homemade meals. But more importantly, the family opened and … Continue reading »

June 25 – Dancing with Poison Oak

Grizzly Peak Road to Squaw Valley Creek (mile 1489.6) 23.9 miles If you wait for the perfect conditions you’ll never get anything done. ~Fitbie I am cozy and dry in my tent, while rain pours outside. The best feeling ever. Today was a great day. I had energy, no pain, and life was good. Bear … Continue reading »

June 24 – Tired

Deadman Creek to Grizzly Peak Road (mile 1465) 21.7 miles “The best remedy for those that are afraid, lonely, or unhappy is to go outside.” -Anne Frank So I am really tired tonight. The last few miles were hard and I really don’t have excuses. Here is a summary of the day: -weather cleared but … Continue reading »

June 23 – Rain

Burney Falls State Park to Deadman Creek (mile 1444) 20.5 miles To strengthen the muscles of the heart the best exercise is lifting someone else’s spirit whenever you can. ~Dodinsky Recycle has been good company. As I write this in my tent he is playing Amazing Grace on his small flute. Tonight I am yet … Continue reading »

June 22 – Beauteous Burney Falls

Most likely illegal camping at Fish Hatchery to Burney Falls State Park Campground 12 miles “Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead.” ~Louisa May Alcott I find it … Continue reading »