JMT - Day 6 - Bubbs Creek to Suspension Bridge

August 23, 2016
Day 6
14.4 miles / 75.0 total
Steps: 37,853
Suspension Bridge
Days without shower 7

Started this morning about 7:30 and it was climbing pretty steady until about 10:30. It was different hiking by myself again. I definitely took my time a little more. I met up with and talked with 2 girls who also started at Cottonwood Pass but didn't do Whitney due to elevation and altitude sickness. They are sisters from Alaska and seem super sweet. They said it snowed over Forester pass when they came over so I am glad that I made it over early yesterday. They will be finishing a few days before me but I am sure I will see them again! Not very many of us go the same direction and with my Zeroday we should have a few more days in the beginning close to each other. This pass (Glen) seemed very very long and harder than Forester. There were a lot of us slow moving up and down due to the rocky terrain. There were a lot more people than I had seen before. Many of them asked where I was hiking and that is when I figured out many were doing the Rae Lakes Loop. Most of them said I looked like a JMTer… which I was wondering if they really meant I smelled like it.

When I made it to the peak I took a few pictures and talked to some people. It is always nice to meet people at the top and see where they came from and where they would suggest to camp. One couple asked me if I was the Marine...damn Luke! Lol. They were a sweet older couple whose combined age was in the 130s I think. They said they had one of the older combined ages for couples hiking. It was really cute. I guess Luke had gotten up there about the same time they did and since he doesn’t break very long just talked for a minute and headed back down. It was so beautiful looking over Glen pass at Rae lakes. I couldn't stop smiling. This was one of the times when you really can’t believe your eyes. The way down was almost as rough as the way up. The rocks were very tricky and I didn't want to fall. I talked to a few other people as I headed down and saw many Ladies of the JMT. I love how welcoming and friendly everyone is – especially these girls/ladies! Seriously – join this Facebook group if you are looking for an awesome group of supportive women on and off the trail! Once almost down to Rae Lakes a guy started to pass me and his heals looked SO bad. They were bleeding at his heals and I really just felt like he needed help in some way. I asked him if he wanted any tape that I had and he said he was good using duct tape and would stop at the lake. Crazy guy! He was moving very quick but slowed down and we talked for a bit. His name is Brian and back home he has a boxer/lab mix named Frank who he likes to take backpacking with him. It was fun talking for a bit to him and talking about Reecy made me miss her even more. I wish she could be out here with me. We talked a bit longer until we got to the lake and parted ways. I was loving this view, so took off my pack, had a couple bites of the pro bar I opened earlier, and took some pictures. There were a few people around here and there but everyone seemed so peaceful. It was an amazing spot. There was a little island in the middle of the lake and it looked very inviting but I knew this large lake would have been very cold and I wanted not as cold.
I was getting ready to head back out up walks Luke! I guess he pushed it to hard up the pass and was already hurting. Or he really just missed me. Earlier before we split ways he said guys were going to start hitting on me again because I'd be alone. I joked that I would have to find myself another “trail boyfriend”. We talked for a bit and he told me he had taken a wrong trail by Rae Lakes and was backtracking when he ran into me.

We continued on to the next lake I was planning on stopping at, Dollar lake, and he asked if he could join me. I was surprised he didn’t want to do more miles but was fine with his company. I do think I enjoy the morning hikes alone and if we stay on track that will be a good routine. I took my first swim and rinsed my hair. My hair was super gross and the water was SUPER cold. When I first got in, it took my breath away and you can’t help but squeal. At the same time felt very refreshing and should be an every afternoon task. I went in my shorts and bra and then laid out in my underwear for a bit to dry off. Of course the sun went behind a cloud for the majority of the time I was out there. Also, a family with a young boy was off to my right and I felt like the mom was giving me dirty looks. Who knows if this is because of her son or her husband? The sun didn’t seem like it was going to come back out, so I got dressed and Luke finished his coffee. On the other side of us there was a group of guys who were setting up camp because it was looking pretty dark in the direction we were headed and they didn’t want to get in the storm again. We decided it wasn’t too bad and continued on for another 5-6 miles until we got to the suspension bridge.

There were a lot of people camped on the side approaching the bridge so we went over to try to find a site with a fire ring but there wasn't anything so we came back across and some guys pointed out spots down the hill. We looked and it was perfect. Few tent spots with a fire ring! We set up camp, filtered water, washed out a few items and gathered wood for a fire. Luke made the fire and I made us dinner. I had extra tortillas and a 2 servings of beans & rice so made us burritos! We kinda had an odd rhythm going that worked. We studied the maps and I told him my rough plan to make it over the next pass and to a lake about 8 miles away for a break and swim again. Then continue another 5ish miles to camp. He isn't sure what he plans on doing tomorrow but I suggested go on his own and if we meet up to camp at the same spot or spend the afternoon together that would be ok but I like my mornings alone. The fire kept us up to the latest trail night yet! It's 10pm! The stars through the trees were amazing! I almost wish there wouldn’t have been as much tree coverage to see them better but it helps block the wind. I'm in my bag nice and warm now and ready to try to sleep. Guess I likely won't be getting 10 hours of sleep tonight. Better sleep well! Goodnight!