With a Little Help From My Friends

Friday, July 25

Day 13

South Fork Kings River to Middle Rae Lakes

17.9 miles

“Inspiration comes from others, but motivation comes from within.”

A big miles day. I can't believe I made it all the way to Middle Rae Lake. I did not think I had it in me! I probably would not have if it hadn't been for James and Z's encouragement. I left camp just after 6 a.m. and said goodbye to Bob and Lee. I passed by just as James was waking up. The climb up to Pinchot Pass was a two-parter. The first climbed up about 1100 feet to Lake Marjorie. I made steady progress and made the 3.3 miles by 8 a.m. I took a little break at the small lake before Marjorie to fuel up on GORP and loaded up my water bottle. From the lake it was another 1.8 miles and 900 feet elevation game to the pass. Continued to make steady progress and I reached the pass a little after 9:30 a.m. It was nice to get todays pass out of the way so early. There were a few of us at the pass, including a family of four with two kids under 14. It was really cool to see them out here with their kids. The wind had been blowing all morning, and continued to blow throughout the day.

James had talk to someone on the pass who said the winds and the particular cloud type meant a change in the weather was on the way. We are really hoping that does not mean rain, as we have Forster Pass, the highest of all the passes, in two days.  Leaving the summit I started a very long downhill section.  I lost 3,500 feet of elevation over 7 miles. The descent off the pass lead me to a wide-open basin area. When that dead ended I turned west at the Sawmill Pass Trail Junction and continue down, following along the sides of Wood's Creek. This section remind me a little of the stretch along the San Joaquin River. I played tag with the family from the Pass and another couple of hikers that I had also met up there, as we each took breaks different spots on the way down. The descent became very monotonous, and I was ready to get it over with. Near the end I caught up with James and Z on a break, then joined them on the remainder of the descent. I did my best to keep up with them as always.

The bottom of the descent brought us to another landmark of the trail, the Woods Creek suspension

bridge. One at a time we crossed our way over the bridge. I've videotaped as I crossed it.  I was surprised by how much sway there was in it, from left to right. I also had to keep an eye open for missing planks. We all made it across with no problems. From the bridge we began to climb again. James and Z set the goal of Middle Rae Lake and I was now determined to make it there with them as well. I thought the lake would be good set location for an early run up Glenn Pass tomorrow.

I fell line behind James, who was following Z. I did my best to hang onto their train. It was like a pace line in cycling. The first 20 minutes all I saw was the back of James’ shoes, as I tried to match their pace. We switched leads several times, and I managed to keep the pace when I was out front.  Somewhere before Baxter Pass Trail I pulled ahead of Z, as he was slowing. I found out later that once he rejoined James he stopped to take a quick power nap. On my own I pushed past Dollar, Arrowhead and Lower Rae Lakes. Just after coming to Middle Rae Lake I decided to take a rest stop and wait for the James and Z so I could share camp with them.

Z took a quick dip in the lake while James and I pushed on another 200 yards to set up camp. First thing we did was to take a quick dip as well, to wash off the dust, grime and sweat. It was chilly but I felt much better afterwards. I had a nice evening chatting with those two. I will try to push on with them tomorrow to Budds Creek. It should be another day like today, of up down up down, again but only about 13 miles.

I figure I've climbed about a total of 3500 feet today. I was happy how I held up. Hope I can do it again tomorrow!