Day 9- Leaving JMT

I am conflicted about ending my hike for blisters. They seem like a small thing can effect you so much. My left calf is also so tight it makes it difficult to walk. I was hoping the hot spring would of helped more and I always change my mind. I was going to add a picture of my blister but I will save that for another post.

We are meeting Teri today at Florence lake. It is just a 5 mile hike and a 20 minute ferry ride to the other side.

We were packed early and sat waiting for breakfast at 7. The ranch was running late since they had generator issues.  Breakfast was made to order eggs, ham,  fruit and fresh made coffee cake.

Tent Cabin at MTR

View from Cabin

We had to wait to 8 to get our resupply that we are donating to the hiker barrels. I have 17 pounds of food to give away. 

We were on the trail by 8:30 and started hike to Florence lake.

Florence Lake

We arrived at the lake by 10:30 and had to make a call on the CB to request the ferry to get us. I made the call and the ferry arrived in 5 minutes since it was already on way to drop off other. The ferry left by 11 and we were on the other side by 11:10

After arriving on the other side we had to wait just 30 minutes for Teri to arrive.  She took a photo of our 107 mile journey 

Day 8

Bear Creek Trail + to MTR
95.1 to 106.5 - 11.4 miles + 1 mile MTR

I did not a good night sleep again,  I should know better not to sleep by a river. I even had in ear plugs and it did not help. We planned to leave camp by 5:45 so we could get to MTR for lunch and a soak in hot tub. I was up at 4 and next thing it was 5:45 and Jerome was waking me up. We left camp by 6:20.

We now had a 5 mile 1700 ft climb to selden pass. During climb we had our first large river crossing of Bear Creek. We tried to cross without getting wet. I made 90% across and Jerome just cross. Either way you get wet. We also crossed a few smaller streams. 

It took us almost 4 hours to hike the 5 miles. I  have been dealing with blisters in the back of my heals for a few days. My blisters started to realty hurt during the climb.

During the remaining hike downhill to MTR each step them worse. By the time I reached MTR each step really hurt so bad that I decided not to continue and to leave with Jerome tomorrow. I feel I just needed a day or two to rest but my timetable was tight for a zero day.

The downhill to MTR passed so 3 really nice lakes ; Heart and Sallie Keys.

We finally reached MTR around 3:30 and it was not what I expected.  It looked liked 4 shacks. We checked in and and received the tour of the kitchen/mess hall,  hot spring 104degress and the cold spring at 92 degrees.  After the tour we were driven to our tent cabin in a golf cart.  The shower was what I was looking foreword too most after 8 days. As much as I scrubbed it was hard to remove all the dirt.

After showering we headed to cold tug. As we arrived the door was locked for a couples private session so we  headed for the hot tub. It was too hot to get in but it was great to just soak my feet. The soak did not really help my feet so I was still walking like a really old man.

We now had to kill 45 minutes until dinner and I was starving.  I was not getting a burger but carrot curry soap,  apple pear salad, pasta salad, pork chops and beef kabobs.

At dinner time they ring a loud bell and the guests start running.  I eat it all,  beef and 1 and half portion of the pork. And finally lemon bars. 

At dinner we meet 2 retired couples that were going to hike a portion of the JMT from MTR and exiting Bishop Pass. They were also meeting another couple that was hiking the reverse with a 2 day overlap. They planned a car swap to make it easier to hike across. The couples were sorry to hear we were ending our hike and encourage us to complete the JMT.

Day 7

Squaw Lake to Bear Creek Trail +
80.6 to 95.1 - 14.5

The camp site was at 10300 feet so when I woke at midnight,  I was able to see the most amazing stars. They looked like you could touch them and it was the first time I saw the milky way.

We left camp about 6:30 and started the climb over sliver pass. We took our time climbing and reached over 11000 ft. We saw a few nice lakes after the pass. We spent the morning  descending to 7800ft to VVR trail head. This was a great place to have lunch at the river before  spending the  afternoon climbing back to 10000.

It took us 3 hours to climb. Then we needed to decend again 500 ft to camp. Chef running water is still not feeling well and will end his hike tomorrow at Muir Trail Ranch.

We are spending the night MTR and I am looking forward to a burger. I will complete the hike and join another group of hikers we meet to complete the trail. 

After rereading today's blog I forgot to talk about Church Lady a PCT hiker. I was speaking to him and he asked if I wanted to hear a poem. I thought the poem was going to be short but he when on for over 3 minutes.  I wished I thought of video taping him. Jerome was ahead of me and he Church Lady also did the poem for him. The poem was hard to follow but was way out there. I am not sure I enjoyed it.

Day 6

Deer creek to squaw lake
65.5 to 80.6 - 15.1 miles

We took our time in camp in the morning to do some laundry.  We started our day with a 7 mile hill. We stopped for breakfast so we could enjoy amazing view. As we were eating 4 hikers came by and started doing yoga on a tree stump. I was able to give out by first trail name. One of the hikers with purple hair did the eagle pose. So the name "Purple Eagle" was created. 

On our climb we saw purple lake and Lake Virginia.

The lakes also added ups and downs,  once we arrived at duck pass trail we dropped 300 ft to purple lake and then climes 400 ft back to Lake Virginia then to drop 1300 ft to cascade Valley trail. 

We decided.to camp at squaw lake at 10300 so we starting climbing 1300 ft. As we were climbing we were attacked by mosquitoes. Jerome stopped to quickly put on shirt and long pant. I thought I would just out run them.  I got too far ahead of Chef Running Water and a I needed to stop at a confusing steam crossing.  As I stopped my legs were covered in mosquito. As I swat them it would leave blood on my legs. The chef finally caught up and we made it out of the infested area.

We made camp late but it was worth the long uphill.

Day 5

Rosile lake to Deer Creek
50.9 to 65.5 - 14.5

I was up at 5:30 and tried to break camp early to have breakfast at red meadows pack station. We all left camp together at 6:30. It was a short up hill and a long down hill to reds. Jenny kept up with us for the first 2 miles.  We separated for her to take pictures. There was not much to see before getting to reds. Jerome and I made reds by 10am going 8 miles. We stopped at devils pile post and for some trail magic. The magic contained  beers and fruit. It was great to have an orange. As we reached magic we met Linda who hiked with us to see devils pile post. The pile post was neat but not worth the detour to see.  We went right to the restaurant and had a large breakfast.  It was amazzzzzing,  "Alex",  for just eggs toast and sausage,  Pepsi and ice tea.

Now the adventure,  I needed batteries for my spot connect so all my friends and family can track us. The batteries were only available in town with requires me to take a bus,  $7 down to Mammoth ski center and another bus to ski village and a trolley to town. As I was waiting for the bus to leave Jenny entered the bus. She took almost 2 hours longer to hike to reds. She realized she was not making the miles and decided to end the hike. It was sad to see a her dream of hiking JMT end. "Jenny",  Jerome and I really enjoyed hiking with you. The kids in your school have a great vice principal.  We will be thinking of you as we summit Whitney.

The battery journey took over 3 hours. On the bus ride back I meet 3 PCT hikings and invited them to share our extra food. When we arrived at reds they came to our table and we put about 5 lbs of food out.

The best part of the hike are the people you meet.  Each one has a different story that is shared in a few minute conversation.  With our resupply completed we started hiking around 3 make camp at 7:30.

Today was more about the people we me on the the trail.  At camp we met Blue butterfly who is 67 year old woman hiking from Mexico to Canada. The funny thing she thought I was 35 and jerome was my dad. Lol......  it was nice talking to her over dinner.

I forgot to say Jerome was given a trail name today by PCT hiker. Chef Running Water.   Ask jerome what it means .......

Jerome is still not.feeling well and I think he will stopping at MTR.

It is 10:30 and I am still writing this blog.

JMT Cast

Cold Feet
Jenny
Lee and Outburst (father Daughter)
March (who also ended hike at reds)
Blue Butterfly
Norwegian guys
Linda
PCT hiker. ( name x-rated)