Day 4

Marie Lakes to Rosile Lake
39.8 to 50.9 - 11 miles

We camped last night next to a large stream that keep waking me up. I was up at 5:30 again. We spent the morning in camp doing some chores so we left camp at 7:30. Today's hike is all about the lakes Thousand island, ruby, Garnet,  shadow and finally Rosales.

The day started climbing Island pass at 10000 ft and then a 2 miles down hill to lakes. Each lake required us  to climb and then down to the next lake. The hardest climb was our final climb and was the most difficult of the trip. I believe the miles are starting to hit me. The bright side today was we made camp at 5:00 so we made a fire. Jenny camp with us again tonight.  She is a mom of 3 and left her family to take this journey .

We made camp at 5:00 the earliest so far. We found a spot and made a fire. About a hour later Jenny joined us again. We are excited since we are hoping to be at Reds Meadow for Lunch. 

Day 3

24 to 39.8 - 15.8
Tuolumne Meadows to Marie Lakes

I was up all night deciding if I will continue without Jerome.  I know I was going as far as reds. I woke to learn that jerome felt he could continue.  Jerome called his wife last night to pick him up. With limited cell coverage it was hard to stop her from coming.

We started hiking around 7 and decided to have breakfast a hour. The trail is completely flat until you reach Donohue pass.

The climb to the our first pass is about to start. We climbed for hours reaching the pike about 5pm . The hike was amaziiiiing. The climb has 3 levels each one having a different meadow. We even crossed snow ...

Day 2

Cloud rest to Tuolumne Meadows
7.2 to 24 - 16.8 miles

I was up a few times at night to use the facilities.  I woke at about 5:30 and it took a while to leave camp. We hiked a hour and found a nice spot for breakfast.

The rest of the day was climbing 10 miles 2500 ft  to catherdal pass.

Jerome is not feeling well today with many stops.  We took our first long rest and slept 20 minutes .

We are so excited to finally reach our first pass and down hill.

We arrive at Tuolumne around 7pm and Jerome still does feel well. He is thinking about seeing a Dr and ending hike or meet me in mammoth.  I have to decide if I should continue on own.  Hoping he feels better. 

Day 1

Happy isles to cloud rest junction
7.2 miles

Was up at 3am and published yesterday's post. I fell back to sleep and woke at 5:30 which is late for me,  830 est. Jerome and I went to breakfast at 6:30 and I had a huge breakfast.  When we got back to hotel Teri and Anita were almost ready. 

It was about a 3 hour drive to Yosemite valley. I was hoping we would arrive before noon but arrived about 1230. It took about 20 minutes to get the permit and buy a sandwich for lunch. 

Teri and Anita are staying in a tent cabin so we drove to curry village.  We said our goodbyes and we loaded the bus to Happy Isles to start the hike.  To start the hike off I went to turn on my GPS tracker (spot connect)  and it was not there.  I left it in Jerome's car. Jerome walked back to curry village to find Teri and the car and I waited at happy isles. 

Lucky Jerome just happened to walk by Teri otherwise it would of been difficult to find her since we need not know her tent number.  This whole process took about 45 minutes and Teri and Anita were able to join us the first mile.

My first steps were so exciting to begin a adventure I was dreaming of for more then two years. I was playing the theme song of the hike in my head. 

After about a mile the trail goes up steep switch backs to Nevada falls at 5914 (+1900).  Jerome was struggling to keep up my pace. I was just glad the climb was not like devils path and I felt the training paid off. The falls were amazing and our first rest. The rest of the day was just climbing and more switch backs to 7300 ft.
 

Day 0 -NY to Mammoth Lakes

I did not sleep well and woke up every hour just waiting for 4am to arrive. I dressed and left the house at 4:20 and drove to Ridgewood for the airport shuttle for my 8am flight to LA.

The plan is for a 6 hour flight to LA where I will be picked up by Jerome. From there to his house for last gear check. Jerome's wife Teri is working a half day and when she returns we drive 5.5 hours to Mammoth Lakes CA.

The shuttle arrives on time and it turns out I am the only passenger for a 10 per van. The drive and discuss hiking the whole time to the airport which makes it a fast ride.

I was at the airport before 6am for 8am flight and had kill time so started this blog.

The flight went by fast as I was  listening to my audio book and playing video games on my phone. When I landed I received a text from jerome that he was already waiting to pick me up. This was the fastest I every left and plane and picked up my luggage all in 10 minutes

I arrive at Jerome's house to pickup his wife Teri and her friend Anita.  Teri and Anita will be spending 2 days at Yosemite and Mammoth Lakes. 

From left to right Anita, Jerome,  Teri and myself.

We now have a 5 hour drive to Mammoth Lakes where were are spending the first night .

Mammoth Lakes is large ski resort town and has another benefit it is at 8000 ft to allow us to acclimate to higher altitude.

The drive went fast with jerome and I in the back discussing the hike and Teri and Anita discussing yoga for the 5 hr ride and the whole at the hotel.

At the hotel I spent a hour trying to stuff all my food in the bear canister.  I am now ready to go.

On the way we stopped in lone pine just to take this picture of Mt. Whitney our end point 15 days later.  The is in the center and you cannot tell it is the tallest mountain in the USA at 14400 ft.

Elevation Profile of Trail

-2 days. Excited

I completed packing last night and my pack weights in at 19 lbs without food and water.