"I'd play at Sallie Lakes all day if I could..."

Sunday, July 20th

Day 8

Lake Addison trail to Sally keys Lakes

13.8 miles

“Mountains are cathedrals: grand and pure, the houses of my religion. I go to them as humans go to worship…From their lofty summits, I view my past, dream of the future, and with unusual acuity I am allowed to experience the present moment. My strength renewed, my vision cleared, in the mountains I celebrate creation. On each journey I am reborn.”

- Anatoli Boukreev

California may be in a drought, but the Sierras are doing fine. Rained most of the day. Luckily it only came down hard for a few short spurts. I had the full rain gear on for most of the day.

The climb up Bear Ridge was not as bad as I had allowed it to grow in my mind. I made the ascent without much concern, even though it was a steeper than the previous climbs Once I had made it up, the trail once again began the descend. Go figure! I ran into several hikers coming up from the side. The 1.7 mile stretch between Bear Creek Trail and Lake Italy seemed to take a very long. I began to wonder if I turned off the JMT somewhere. I was relieved when I finally came across a junction sign. From Lake Italy the trail climb once again towards Seldon Pass. Over 4 1/2 miles the trail gained another 1,500 feet of elevation.

By the time I reach Marie Lake, below Seldon Pass, I was in need of a good long break. I was beat, wet and tired. I sat down at the south end of the lake, close to the final push up to Seldon. As I ate my lunch, I saw a large dark clouds building behind the Pass. So much for a long break.  I quickly finished a tortilla with peanut butter, then packed up and started up the 400 or so feet of elevation gain to the Pass. I kept my eyes glued to the Pass looking for lightning. This fear, along with lunch gave my legs a second wind, and I was soon at the top of the narrow pass. With weather still a threat I quickly started down, as the wind and rain picked up once again. In short time I made it down to Hart Lake, which actually does look like a heart in fact, then continued down to Sallie Keys Lake.  I made camp around 4 PM. Rain accompanied me all away down the backside of Seldon Pass to the Lakes.

I found Jessie and Avery camped at the Lakes and camped nearby as I wanted/was in need of some company this evening. First thing I did was to set up the tent in case the rain decided to make another appearance. Afterwards I went fishing. I cut two golden trout. I finally got my fishing wish. They are beautiful species. I caught both of them on a Griffiths Nat, with a fair amount of work. The elk hair caddis we're not working tonight. I think they were actually feeding him very small bugs just below the surface.

My feet held up pretty good today. I got them wet at one creek that I had to ford. I will retape the toes in the morning, then will take a better look at them once I get to Muir Trail Ranch tomorrow. MTR should be an easy 5 to 6 mile downhill hike tomorrow. I hope not to spend more than three hours there tomorrow, as I want to make some miles afterwards. I have to remember to buy fuel there, as I ran out as I was cooking dinner tonight. I think I was lucky, rather than good timing. I also need to recharge to camera batteries. I hope to mail a box home with my battery pack, camera charger and iPod since my headphones broke last night.

I also really need to re-plan the rest of my trip to make sure I have enough supplies, (food to make it to Whitney). I think I am still a day ahead of my proposed schedule, which will allow me to drop some of the big mile days that I have planned for this next section. Sixteen mile days will really be pushing it, and I have several planned along with an 18 miler. Today should help make the trip more enjoyable, and not a death march.I