Day 93 – 23 Jun 19. Fantastic Views, Flowers and a Twenty Mile Day

Today 33.0 km (20.5 mi), Total Distance 1828.7 km (1136.3 mi) 11 hours 15 minutes (0730-1845)

Once again I struggled to make myself start getting ready. I was enjoying just lying there. I got up, retrieved my bear bag and had breakfast. I was on the trail later than normal at 0730.

After a little snowy patches there was actually a nice longer section of dirt trail that I really enjoyed. I was even able to start drifting off as I was thinking about things which is the first time in ages I have been able to do. Normally I am concentrating on the trail too much.

There were a few snow patches but very few and not very big. I crossed out of Desolation Wilderness passing the entry sign.

After a bit more travel on the side of the hill the trail turned and went beside Sugarloaf Mountain down to Richardson Lake which was all water and very pretty. Once I got to the far end I went to the lake sure and it was reflecting the trees and snowy mountains.

There was a bit of a gentle climb and then I went along the side of Sugarloaf. Unfortunately it was now back to snow and the snow drifts across the track were really big meaning big ups and downs.

Surprisingly despite it being my second least favourite condition, mixed dirt and snow, I was not getting frustrated and didn’t mind it. There were a few sidles but now many and the slopes were not too steep.

The trail turned before hitting a stream and there was some clear patches.

I dropped down to the river and there was someone in white on the other side of the river yelling “river crossing”. I knew there was a crossing and checked my map and yes I still had a few hundred meters to go so I continued. The crossing point was really fast and at the limit for crossing so I decided to go back and check out what the person had been yelling. When I got closer I realised the two PCT hikers from yesterday were with the guy and they gave me directions for the best crossing, crossing a couple of small channels first then the main one.

I stopped and chatted to them for a little while and we all left together.

We were heading back to where the trail crossed the stream but it was very boggy. The lead guy was trying to go around and after fighting through some small trees came to a small creek. He wanted to try get around it as he had boots on but I just ploughed straight through and after saying goodbye I continued to the trail. The guy in the white shirt followed me across the stream as he also had trail runners.
Back on the trail it was lovely. It was mainly dirt with only a few snow patches and I was loving being able to look around.

I stopped to get some water. As there had been several dirt roads and I was not in wilderness area I decided to filter the water. It is the first time I have used my filter since before Kennedy Meadows South, over 400 miles.

White shirt gguy passed me as I was doing this but I caught up to him just as we were getting into more snow.

The trail dropped to a river and I left the faint footprints as I did not like their crossing point and I found a better one slightly downstream. I struggled to find the track but eventually did and yelled our to White Shirt where it was. That was the last I saw of anyone today.

Now the snow got thicker as I climbed slightly then followed up a valley on the side of a hill. Some of the slopes were steep but most of it was ok. It was solid snow now.

I eventually emerged from the snow on a short section of track to Barker Carpark. There were some information boards and toilets but no picnic table. I was intending to have lunch here but decided to push on.

The trail went under Barker Mountain and then up to a saddle. A lot of this section was clear but the snow drifts were tall and a struggle to get over. From the saddle it was back to pure snow and climbing up to a spur line then along it to an open ridge were I had a good view of Lake Tahoe.

I continued to the saddle and track junction then had a late lunch. The last part had taken a long time due to the steepness I had to negotiate.

After lunch I crossed the saddle and the trail followed around the hill but it was really steep so I headed straight down the steep slopes to the open bowl at the bottom, across a flat part and then met uup with the track again.

Now it was dropping and around the side of the hill. It was 50/50 dirt and snow but the snow patches were steep. There were old footprints but I needed to kick new steps as the old ones were too shallow.

Once clear of that section the trail followed the side of the hill as it curved around and then the trail started climbing. The first couple of switchbacks were fine but then it was pure snow and steep traverses so I decided to head straight up to the ridge and cut back onto the trail there.

The trail followed along just under the ridge and then turned a corner and it was pure snow and very steep traverses for a few hundred meters.

Now I was getting annoyed. I am over steep traverses but now I was faced with a continuous hill of them.

Finally I was around the hill and it flattened out. The dirt trail reappeared and I was able to follow it a whole 20 meters before it was back to pure snow again.

The trail climbed gently up the spur line and then started across the side of the hill – back to steep traverses. This was a long section and I ended up drifting higher than the track and coming out on some open terrain. I headed up to the ridgeline and followed that down until it met the trail.

Now was my favourite section of the day. The trail followed the ridge for a little while and I could see great views out both sides. To the right was Lake Tahoe and green forests. To the left was snowy mountains. The trail dropped off the ridge and after a couple of snow traverses was largely clear. There were heaps of flowers beside the trail and the views continued to be fantastic. I was really enjoying it.

The trail then switched over to a different ridgeline and after a horrible traverse under the hill on steep snow the trail was in the open on dirt almost continuously for several miles.

Once again there were heaps of flowers and I was love being able to look around at the views and the flowers. I was feeling good, keeping a steady pace and not rushing. I think the body will need time to readjust back to dirt trail walking instead of mixed snow walking which is why I was taking it easy.

I passed a cell tower and the back of a skifield before dropping down off the end of the ridge. The trail disappeared under snow so I went straight down the hill then right to the stream crossing.

I then continued on the trail and realised that I had passed the 20 mile mark. This is the first time since before Kennedy Meadows South that I have achieved that. While there was a lot more dirt trail today I thought with the amount of snow it would be less.

I found a flattish campsite and got into my night routine. I was a little later than normal but it was too windy on the ridge to camp so I wanted to push on down the hill. Also I would rather do a steep downhill like that when the snow is soft so I can dig my heels in as opposed to first thing in the morning when it would be frozen.

I am by the river so have the soothing sound to help me sleep, not that I need help.

Visits: 485