PCT Day 62: Still in Yosemite Wilderness

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 left it on for the rest of the day. The Sierra variety had no problem keeping a fast pace.

I climbed another pass into Jack Main Canyon and followed Falls Creek on a long, gradual climb to Dorothy Lake.

Up and over another pass and set up camp on Harriet Lake, just short of the 1,000-mile mark.

The mosquitos were horrendous. I quickly prepared dinner and instant pudding and had to lift my head net for every bite and drink of water. Any exposed skin was fair game. I thought I was well covered but hadn’t considered the holes in my pants. I dove into my tent and 200 skeeters joined me, spending the next 20 minutes clapping my hands until everyone of those bastards were dead. Isn’t nature wonderful?

A full moon has risen over the lake and I can see the moonlight reflection on the lake from my tent.

I didn’t see another hiker today although I did run into a biologist doing research on the Yosemite toad. I have now officially left Yosemite National Park.