August 25, 2016
Day 8
13.5 miles / 103.5 total
Steps: 37,550
Palisade Creek
Days without shower 9
I started this morning just before 8. I left before the guys were packed up and knew that they would catch me eventually. The steady incline to the switchbacks of Mather Pass wasn't too bad. I saw deer and enjoyed watching them like I do every morning & evening. There were quite a few birds, squirrels, chipmunks, and a couple marmots too. Still didn't see any sheep and I think that was my last chance. I kept looking over at Split Mountain, another 14,000 peak that I would like to do one day... But today was not the day even though I debated it a few times. It was hard to see where the pass was but I'm so glad it was the lowest point on the mountain views. The switchbacks were pretty gradual for the most part and I could see the Jaclyn and Lydia (the Alaskan sisters) up ahead. They are super sweet and yelled down to say hello on the switchbacks. They cheered for me as I got to the top and hung out long enough to take pictures and were on their way down. I saw the boys headed up the last couple switchbacks so I took pictures for other people, enjoyed the view, and had a honey stinger wafer! These are still one of my favorite snacks even if they are stale. We took a couple pictures and then I loaded my pack to head down.
I didn't get why this was being called the golden staircase. It was gradual but there was not many stairs. We continued a ways down until the Lower Palisade lake where we took a long lunch and swim. This is where I have on my itinerary to camp for the night but I would have 2 LONG days after if I stay and it's only been a little over 7 miles. We saw Jaclyn and Lydia on our way down and I told them where we were planning on stopping and said they should join us! We were pretty close to the trail as we soaked in the water and they stopped to join us to hang out and swim for a bit. I wish the swim was enjoyable but it's mostly rinsing the stink off as your body goes numb. I can't wait for a warm shower or two or three! I do not think I will take that for granted anymore. I've already been having vivid dreams about things like taking showers... In one dream, I have to sneak in a locker room and hide from people in order to take one. I have had lots of crazy dreams and wish I would have written more of them down. I rinsed out my hair and hung out in the sandy area around the lake to dry off. It was a nice afternoon and not too breezy.
After about an hour we start to get ready without really saying anything to each other. We load our packs and start walking again. We head down pretty quickly following the creek with many beautiful waterfalls. Then after a bit we realize that this is now the "golden staircase". And it's painful on the knees. I'm not feeling great and the down isn't stoping anytime soon. Dylan is ahead of me and I want to take a break, eat a snack, pee, and enjoy the view so I yell ahead that I am going to stop. I don't think he heard me but I need to stop. I felt like I was just working on keeping up and stopped enjoying the trail. As I sat there I decided that I needed to be on my own again and stop trying to do the same amount of miles at someone else’s speed. It was time to hike my own hike. Once I caught back up them I told them what I was thinking. I got Dylan's contact information, gave Luke a hug, said thank you and wished them well. I will likely see them again or at VVR. It was kinda odd saying bye to Luke again but I really do think it's for the best. We all loaded up our packs and I followed VERY slowly behind. I could see them often ahead but it was nice not trying to keep up and being on my own again. As soon as I was getting into my own rhythm, Brian from a couple days ago comes up behind me. We talk for a bit and he tells me how he has been sick the past couple days and is trying to make up some miles. He is walking pretty quickly and I don't feel like keeping up or talking much so I say bye as I debate if a campsite would be hoe or just a place to rest for a bit. I stopped and looked at my map and decided to continue for another 30-45 minutes. I passed a couple people going the opposite direction who all looked pretty beat. I am so glad I had to do this direction. I found a nice site close to the water with a couple very small tent spots and a fire ring! I dropped my bag, sent my message saying I was at camp for the night, and was happy to be 'home' for the night. I got set up, filtered water, gathered wood for a fire, and started my laundry. I wanted to wash all my hiking clothes but didn’t want to hang out in my PJs in the fire so I put on my rain gear. I was very proud of my mini fire tonight. It was perfect for me. I sat and boiled water for dinner and set it aside to rehydrate as finished my laundry. I found laundry seems to work better when the clothes soak a little while! I rehydrated lasagna tonight. I like it a lot except how the cheesy part sticks to my fork really bad and it is hard to clean. I got my food organized for tomorrow, breakfast, lunch, and snacks to the top of the bear can and finished cleaning up. I let the fire go almost all the way out then dumped the rest of the laundry water on it to make sure it was really out. I studied my maps in my tent and can't really decide if I want to go over Muir pass tomorrow or not. It's within my 12 miles that I've been doing most days. If I do it I'll likely camp just over the pass at Sapphire Lake. Mostly because I like the name and it sounds like it would be amazing. It also depends on the weather because the clouds looked like a storm may be coming in again. I think it would be cool too camp on a pass too but I don't know if that is a good idea. Plus there isn't any water up there. I guess I'll see how tomorrow goes. Right now I'm happy to be in my sleeping bag and off my feet. This place is beautiful and the creek I am next too sets the perfect white noise. I'm really starting to miss things, fruit, veggies, clean laundry, music, talk radio, talking with my sister, and my Reecy. I think about my house and Reecy a lot and hope that everything is going ok. I'm really looking forward to being able to have service to check in on her but still have about 4 days. That's also a little motivation to get to VVR earlier. So far my battery pack is only down 2 lights (half way) which is pretty awesome. I am very happy that it has lasted me this long and I have been on my phone a bit more than I thought since I am writing my trail journals because I forgot a pen! The only other things I charge are my Fitbit and InReach. It is dark enough to get some sleep - 8:20. I'll likely read a bit more of my book like I do most nights (The John Muir Trail by Elizabeth Wanks) so I know what to expect tomorrow. Good Night!
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