A MIle, Mile and a Half, One Step at a Time

Wednesday, July 23

Day 11

Muir Pass to Deer Meadow

15.4 miles

"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go." 

-- T.S. Eliot

Afternoon break -

Last night was rough! At first I could not fall asleep, then once I finally did Bob, who was sharing the hut with me, turned out to be the loudest snorer that I have ever heard! And he snored all night long! Even worse, the acoustics of the hut amplified it. I have no idea how much actual sleep I got. At least the hut kept me fairly warm and the wind out last night.

Looking back towards Muir Pass

I started moving about 5:30 a.m. was on the trail by six. For the first three hours today I was sure that my trip would be over at Kearsarge Pass. I could barely shuffle my feet along because my right Achilles tendon was so tight and painful. The downhill was awful on me! I do not think I was even moving along going 1 mph. Finally at 9 a.m. I stopped for a breakfast break: Pop tarts and vitamin I, and a liter of Gatorade. I also stretched my right Achilles tendon and it actually loosened up. Soon after I started walking again I was back to my normal pace. But the pain in the morning really had me doubting if I was going to be able to finish his trip. It really scared me! It was easy to see how one little thing could easily derail my trip. The highlight of the morning was coming to monster rock. I had forgotten all about it. So stumbling upon it put a smile on my face. Of course I had to take my picture with me and its jaws. I was happy on how it came out. While I was there a deer passed between me and the monster.  Luckily it was not hungry today and the deer made it safely passed.

Shortly after passing the monster I finally got off the descent into the valley. I made it to the Le Conte Ranger Station just before noon, where I decided to rest and have lunch. As I write I am sitting along the creek watching the water flow under the bridge. I am hoping the push on another 7 to 8 miles to Deer Meadow for tonight.

Evening -

I made it into camp around Deer Meadow just after 4 o'clock. 15.4 miles today, mostly downhill. I find it hard to believe that I did that long day. I never imagined I would make it this far at 7 a.m. this morning. The right Achilles is still tight and sore but nowhere close to what it was this morning. I hope I did not get a repeat performance tomorrow morning. I will have to stretch really good tonight and hope I can prevent the pain again tomorrow.

The walk to camp from Le Conte Bridge was easy. The last 3 miles where generally uphill, but very gentle. The trail turn sharply east at the Middle Fork Trail, beginning the slight uphill section (the only uphill today). My original goal was Grouse Meadow, but since I did Muir Pass last night, I figured I'd push on to set me up better for the Golden Staircase tomorrow. I figure it is about a “mile, mile and a half” from camp. The staircase was the last section of the trail and completed. On the map it looks like a lot of switchbacks, short ones. I appears to gain about 1600 feet of elevation in a little over 2 miles. It should be fun! Hopefully I can get it over before the sun is beating down on it. I believe it is west facing, so that should not be too big of a problem. I am all alone in camp so far. I was hoping to run into Peter and Carter camped along here but did not see them. Wonder if they did the Staircase today?

 The original plan for tomorrow was to go up to upper Palisade Lake tomorrow, but that will only be a 5 mile day. Depending on the leg is feeling I could push on and up over Mather Pass. I will play it by ear as always.

A beautiful evening here! Very peaceful. The sound of running water to my left, birds to my right. Warm sun shiny down on my legs. Perfect end to the day that started off so bad.