Daily Miles: 25.8, Total Miles: 999.3 I decided on an early start while the mosquitos were still asleep. The mountain passes aren’t as high in this part of the Sierras but the canyons are deeper so plenty of vertical today. I got over Seavy Pass and down into Kerrick Canyon with lots of ponds and standing water from the snowmelt. As the day warmed up, so did the skeeters. I finally had to put on my head net again and…

Daily Miles: 25.1, Total Miles: 973.5 Quietly as I could, I left Glen Aulin Camp and continued through the Yosemite Wilderness. I first ran into Sundog and Giggles, whom I hadn’t seen since near Warner Springs. The trail headed north across a few canyons, passed Miller Lake and twice crossed Wilson Creek. I climbed up to Benson Pass at 10,140′, meeting sheer-faced granite canyon walls on the other side of the canyon. A seemingly never-ending drop into the canyon and…

Daily Miles: 25.1, Total Miles: 948.4 I woke up just after 5am and it was cold, then heard this crackling noise and it was ice on top of my sleeping bag breaking up. Water bottles were also frozen up. But what a drop dead, gorgeous day! The sunrise over Thousand Island Lake and Banner Peak took my mind off the cold. Continuously changing colors, lighting and reflections. I was brought back to reality while heating water for my coffee. I…

Daily Miles: 16.6, Total Miles: 923.3 I hit the bakery across the street from Motel 6 with 5-Star, James and Claire. The biggest cherry bear claw I have ever seen and eaten. We took the free trolley and shuttle bus to the Mammoth ski lodge and then got a quick hitch to the TH at Red Meadows. Thanks Scott and Kayley from Biloxi, Mississippi! I hiked along the edge of Devil’s Postpile and into the Ansel Adams Wilderness. I then…

Daily Miles: 13.1, Total Miles: 906.7 What’s different about today? No passes to climb! Almost all downhill to Reds Meadow and Mammoth Lakes. I had a burger and fries at Red Meadows and walked down to the Devil’s Postpile parking lot. Last time I was here was 39 years ago on my John Muir Trail hike. I met a nice couple from the UK on their first trip to the US and they took this dirty hiker straight to hiker…

Daily Miles: 14.9, Total Miles: 893.6 I reluctantly headed back on the boat from VVR at 9am and hiked back to the PCT. After all that feasting, it was tough for me to get motivated today. I hiked up Mono Creek Canyon and summited Silver Pass at 10,900 ft after a long climb. Long descent then climbed again to very picturesque Virginia Lake. Once I got to Purple Lake, I found a campsite overlooking the lake.

Daily Miles: 0, Total Miles: 878.7 A 1.6-mile detour got us off the PCT and down to Edison Lake and the boat shuttle to VVR. The lake was very low and only a small boat could get into the landing. 5-Star, Cinco, Bambi and I piled in and off we went. Got to VVR before they stopped serving breakfast. I had the PCT special – three eggs, steak, hash browns and pancakes. Well done and a good start! I had…

Daily Miles: 25.4, Total Miles: 878.7 Last night in camp, a doe was showing a particular interest in me. She hung around the tent and following me down to the river when I got water. Really giving me the eye like she wanted to get to know me better. I found out what she really wanted this morning. My wet socks left on a rock to dry were all chewed up with several holes in each sock. The doe was…

Daily Miles: 20.3, Total Miles: 853.3 Got up this morning to three whitetail inspecting the campsite. We followed the Middle Fork Kings River all the way to the headwaters. And then on to Helen Lake named after John Muir’s daughter. After traversing and crossing several snowbanks, we made it to Muir Pass at 11,973 ft. A stone hut honoring John Muir sits right at the top. Shortly after arriving, another hiker summited, took off her backpack and stripped naked. She…