Follow Ellen and Sally on the High Sierra Trail

[HH8]

I know desert rats worship the rainfall, but seriously!

[Sally]

Hi HH8, it does get drier. Read on!

Day 4, Friday, Sept 16: Destination, junction of the High Sierra Trail and the JMT/PCT
We had a leisurely morning not having to deal with rain-soaked gear for the first time. Our first objective was to hike less than a mile to Kern Hot Springs. We crossed the Kern on a bridge and crossed a stream that required that we remove our boots. The boot removal ritual would be repeated several more times throughout the day. After some hunting around and finally asking a camper of its whereabouts, we found the hot spring. It is a hole in the ground with very hot water that flows into a pipe and into a concrete tub big enough for one person. There is a wooden plug that you insert into the outlet pipe, and the tub slowly fills with water - a simple setup.

After we had enough of the devine spring, we were on our way, walking north along the Kern on its east side. Had we not had to remove our boots for many stream crossings we would have made good time.. The Kern is beautiful with alternating churning rapids and lazy calm stretches.

After reaching Junction Meadow it was time to head east again. The trail became shadeless, waterless and steeper. If there was a place we should have filled up with water it was at Junction Meadow. We eventually ran out of water. Finally we came to a stream and tanked up. After taking our boots off one more time, we crossed the stream. Ellen, being rejuvinated by the water was off like a horse to the barn, and before we knew it we arrived at the High Sierra Trail/ JMT junction. It had a great campsite just for us. Yay!

(to be continued...)

[Cy Kaicener]

Great trip report Sally - its almost Ellen like
According to the Best Hike website, The John Muir Trail hike is rated #2
http://besthike.wordpress.com/top-10-best-in-the-world/

http://besthike.wordpress.com/ -- Great pictures of Corsica

[Sally]

Thank you, Cy. Yep, that Ellen will rub off on you after a while if you hang out with her enough!

Day 5, Saturday, Sept.17: Destination, Mt. Whitney

We woke up with frost on (and in) our tents. The plan was to get a real early start, what with Whitney being on the menu and all. Well, we were sluggish as a couple of cold lizards and it took a while to get going. But it was looking like a perfect day to climb Mt. Whitney.

It was a nice walk to Crabtree where we picked up our wagbags. Then we made our way up past Guitar Lake and had a long lunch. Also, we gathered 4 quarts of water each with which to drink and cook dinner and breakfast atop Whitney.

As we approached the area where Ellen had spent her last night on the JMT I told Ellen it was OK with me if she wanted to spend the night here at Hitchcock Bench. Last chance! Ellen was pumped up to spend the night at the summit so we kept on truckin'.

Up until we got to Trail Crest we had seen few hikers. It was now getting late in the afternoon and we were hiking against the downhill traffic. Everyone was very friendly except for a guy that barked at Ellen to get out of his way so he could get off the "ice" (it was actually mushy snow.)

When we reached the summit at about 6:00 PM there was only one couple still up there and after we took pictures of each other, they left. Ellen and I had the whole summit to ourselves! I was able to get a call out (thank you Verizon) to my hubby, Larry. The sun set like a fiery red ball in the sky, and we watched the shadow of Whitney creep across the Owens Valley. It was a great reward for our efforts!

We set up housekeeping in the hut and had a hearty dinner. Although it was pretty cold outside we had a toasty warm night in the hut.

(to be continued...)

[Ellen]

Howdy Sister Sally

Wonderful trip report as usual I'll add to it once I return from the dietitians'conference in San Diego. Tomorrow I get to don a suit, make-up and hose -- back to reality

I'm still in a daze after spending nearly a month hiking in the Sierras.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[zippetydude]

I'm still in a daze after spending nearly a month hiking in the Sierras.

Okay, I'm definitely jealous. I had two weeks once and thought I had died and gone to heaven. But, I didn't have the privilege of fighting hordes of mosquitoes and trying to find an invisible trail on Donahue pass, so maybe it was different.

I'm glad you two got to have so much fun together!

z

[Hikin_Jim]

Tomorrow I get to don a suit, make-up and hose -- back to reality

No wonder I avoid reality so often.

Congrats on a great hike. JMT and HST? What's next? PCT? Go Ellen! (and Sally!)

HJ

[HikerBlatt]

Great trip report. Enjoyed it.
Thanks....

[avid]

Sally,

Some of us are still waiting for the stunning conclusion to the HST journal. We won't feel complete till we hear the complete details including the burger and fries at the Portal Store.

David

[Sally]

OK, David, Here is the "stunning conclusion" to my HST journal:

Day 6, Sunday, Sept. 18: Destination, Whitney Portal

I woke up early and poked my head out the door of the hut. It was still pretty dark but there was a thin line of red to the east . Also, there was a small group of hikers that had gathered to watch the sunrise. They had begun hiking at about 1:00 AM.

Ellen stirred and we went out to join the others. It was similar to the sunset with the shadow of the mountain cast to the west this time. We chatted with the others, including a trio of young women from Alaska and Washington who were concluding their JMT hike. Someone had brought their dog up there, and I was hoping he (the dog) had enough sense to not get too close to the edge.

Seeing the sunrise and sunset from the highest point in the lower 48 is something one doesn't forget, and sharing it with a good friend makes it even better.

We had breakfast and packed our gear one last time. We hadn't gotten far down the trail when the first wave of uphill hikers came upon us. We assured them that they were almost there. As we continued down the uphill traffic got heavier. Then, we started running into people who knew Ellen! The gal is known far and wide!

The crowd of hikers started to subside when we were going down the endless switchbacks. Our feet and other parts were starting to ache, and we began singing songs to keep our minds off the discomfort of going down rock steps that were obviously made for giants.

We had told my hubby, Larry, that we would be at the Portal at about 4:00 PM. We crossed the finish line at exactly 4:00. Ten minutes later Larry and our daughter Celeste drove up. We ordered hamburgers and various beverages at the Store and sat out on the porch to eat. A swarm of wasps descended upon us and tried to steal our hamburgers! Then, wouldn't you know it, three (or more?) of some of Ellen's favorite hiking buddies appeared. Good gravy! Small world.

After eating we packed into the car and drove to Lone Pine where we booked a room at the hostel. We enjoyed the indoor plumbing, namely, the shower and tub. Ellen collapsed into her bunk bed while Larry, Celeste, and I went to the Chinese restuarant for drinks and a light meal.

It felt good to sleep in a bed.

Day 7, Monday Sept 19: Homeward bound

Celeste and Larry got up very early and went back up to Whitney Portal for a short hike while Ellen and I slept in. When we had had enough sleep we got up and walked about town a bit. We went into the coffee shop twice for coffee while we were waiting for the pharmacy to open so we could buy some underwear (Celeste had been thoughtful enough to bring us some clean cloths to wear for the trip home, but no underwear!)

We got a table at the Alabama Hills Cafe, and were soon joined by Larry and Celeste. We were about done scarfing our wonderful and huge breakfasts when Tina walked in the door. Surprise! I think just about everyone was in the Sierras that week.

Larry was the chauffeur and Celeste was our DJ for the drive home. We sang along like maniacs all the way back to civilization. Yep, that's us, a couple of maniacs!

This concludes my trip report, finally. Ellen, how about adding your two cents worth? I know I left lots of stuff out.