John Muir Trail Trip Report

Day 18

September 6, 2011

Forester Pass
to Guitar Lake

14.9 miles

Day 18 Profile

MapSource

Google Maps Terrain

Coldest night yet this trip. Down to 29 last night. I was toasty in my bag! Up at 6am, hiking by 7am. Today was a long day. Not all that hard as far as the trail goes, just long... After a quick drop down to Tyndale Creek, it was up and down all day, with a significant up at the end of the day. Bighorn Plateau was different than any other section of trail on the JMT. It was sort of surreal. Petrified looking trees, open landscape... I liked it in an odd way.

Deer at Tyndall Creek

Is that Mt Whitney?

Sandy Meadow was beautiful!! I saw a deer up close and personal. They just are not afraid of people. I finally hit the Crabtree area and picked up my Wagbag :}. I also found Timberline Lake to be beautiful. Then climb, climb, climb up to Guitar Lake. There are LOT's of hikers here. I can see at least 12 tents staked out. Looks like a popular spot to stage for the Whitney climb tomorrow. I am pretty close to my neighbors, but they said they were fine with my taking a claim here.

I thought this was such a cool photo

Bighorn Plateau

I plan to get up before dawn tomorrow. I know some folks get up at 2 or 3 AM, but I think I will shoot for 5am. Only 5 more miles, and 3000 feet to reach Whitney summit! Then another 10 or 11 to get to Whitney Portal. It will be another long day tomorrow. My left foot was killing me today after about 6 miles. My toes get numb and then there are shooting pains near the top/left side of my foot. I think it must be just an overuse type of thing. Slows me down a little, but as long as it does not get worse, I can deal with it. I have increased the amount of Ibuprofen which helps a little.

Bighorn Plateau

Near Wright Creek

Sandy Meadow

Mixed feelings tonight. My last night on the trail. I am so ready for some aspects of civilization, such as hot showers and fresh cooked meals, but so NOT ready to rejoin the rat race. I would have more misgivings about finishing, except I am spending so much time thinking about how worried my wife must be that I am anxious to get to a phone so I can let her know I am fine. Unlike last year, when I just was not ready to get off the trail, this year I think I am ready. I guess it is because last year I felt like the remainder of the trail was calling, unfinished business... This year I am doing the trail to its completion, and that give a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment. This long distance trail thing is unique. My worries revolve around simple things like do I stop or hike a little more. Where is my foot going to be placed in the next 1 second... Should I get water now or wait for the next stream... Such simple, small little worries, so different from the 'real world'. I have not been this calm, this relaxed, this content, for decades. Sigh...

The infamous Wag Bags at Crabtree

Timberline Lake

I am getting prepped for tomorrow. I filled 2 water bottles since there is no water from here until I descend Whitney later tomorrow. This the first time I have carried more than 1 liter this trip. Last meal on the trail! I ate a ton. So glad that I could eat... Tuna wraps, oatmeal, the rest of my trail bars, etc. Sort of like eating leftovers! No point carrying it when I can use it to fuel my engine.

Timberline Lake

Guitar Lake