| Day 14 Profile |
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I have another 12 mile day planned for today. Since I ate fine yesterday hopefully I will have the energy I need. Tomorrow and the day after are shorter 'rest' days. There were switchbacks right after my campsite as I climbed up to the Bench Lake trail junction, then an easier climb to Lake Marjorie. The waters of Lake Marjorie were an intense, beautiful blue. I really liked Pinchot Pass. It was a stiff climb, but short, and the views were simply incredible. A bit of snow to deal with, but no big deal. I met another hiker at the top of the pass and we hung out for a while and chatted for about 30 minutes. The entire time we were talking, there were two packs sitting a few yards away, with no hikers in sight. It was sort of unnerving seeing those packs and wondering where the owners could be. I hope they were just rock scrambling and were doing OK. We never saw or heard them.
Lake Marjorie
Lake Marjorie
The view from both sides of Pinchot Pass was simply incredible.
Just past Lake Marjorie
Just before Pinchot Pass
Yours truly on Pinchot Pass
South side of Pinchot Pass
As the trail descended in elevation, it got drier and I entered a section that had seen significant landslide damage. Must have happened this past winter since one section had several hundred feet of snow mixed with trees all jumbled up pushed up against the river.
Birth place of Woods Creek
Avalanche of snow along Woods Creek
Woods Creek
As I got closer to the Woods Creek trail junction, I started to get excited. I have been to that trail junction several times in the past, and always looked up the trail heading off to the legendary JMT, and wondered if I would ever be on that trail heading DOWN to the trail junction. Now here I was, finally, doing what I had dreamed of when I first saw this trail junction sign all the way back in 1978. Yes!
The trail joins up with the Woods Creek/Rae Lakes Loop trail. Just a short distance from the trail junction is an amazing suspension bridge that crosses the Woods Creek. I am glad it is there since the river was not one I would want to cross on a log :} It was raging... The bridge sways and swings as you walk across. One person at a time please! I knew the campsites just past the bridge would be stuffed, and they were. I did meet Jerry who had already setup camp, and thought about squeezing in, but I wanted a little more space and solitude. There are bear boxes at this location and in the past, folks were slamming the door to the bear box all through the night.
Amost at the Woods Creek trail junction
Suspension bridge over Woods Creek
Day 14 camp
Just past the crowded section, on the right, is another spot that most folks don't use since you can't see it from the trail. There are several sites available, including a packer site. I went ahead and camped in the packer site since it was large, and quiet. I realized that if a packer came through I would be sharing the site, but that was OK. Sure enough, just before dark, here comes a packer with a horse and mule. He apologized repeatedly that he really had no choice but to share the campsite. I told him I was glad for the company. I used to own horses, and had 20 head that I cared for on a small ranch a number of years ago, so the smell and noise were actually totally fine with me. The packer was Bob, and he was working (I think) for High Sierra Pack Station. If anyone knows Bob or the Pack Station, tell them a huge thanks for me. Bob was courteous, a fun person to hang out with, and even gave me a beer (yes, I said a beer!!) for sharing my campsite. He also volunteered to pack out my trash for me. Some of my experiences with packers on the trail have left me thinking they are all rude and would really like to see hikers banned from "their" trails. Bob was the complete opposite. I'd share a trail with him anytime.
Tomorrow is a short day with plenty of time to enjoy the absolutely stunning Rae Lakes area. Each time I visit Rae Lakes I tell myself, "next time I will take time to enjoy this area". Well, this time I will. Not an entire day, but a full half day!
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