John Muir Trail 2013

[Sally]

Well done, Ellen! A thoroughly enjoyable read! Now if HJ would pay you a visit and help you get those pics up!

[gonehigher]

Ellen - Thanks for yet another great inspirational for all of us getting our hearts and butts out on the trail of our dreams. We're on the JMT from Tuolumne Meadows to Cottonwood starting Aug 26th.

[bluerail]

sounds like a great time Ellen, fun reading !

[Ellen]

Howdy All,

Pictures:

https://picasaweb.google.com/1072116097 ... Trail2013#

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[Andy]

Thanks for taking the time to write up such a detailed TR Ellen. Glad your trip was a great one!

[Ellen]

Howdy Arocknoid

Just realized I didn't answer your query about the resupply...

I don't know why the Lewis cache was confiscated. Saint Laura spoke with a Charlotte Lake Ranger and let him know that I would show up for my resupply within a specific timeframe. She had packed my resupply in her Ursack, wrapped it well and put specific information as to 1) who it was for and 2) when I would be there.

I definately think a mp3 of the HS Moose Yodel is in order

I just wish my literary references were as witty as yours

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

.... (latest installment ends with Day 16 and Laura's yodeling.)

I can imagine wide-eyed JMTers within several miles scanning the countryside for the Forester Pass Chupacabra. "What was THAT? You see anything? Never heard anything like that before!" as they nervously clench their collars close at the throat. "Where's the BIG bear spray? Garlic, and a wooden stake maybe?"

Veddy noice of her with the resupply and Muddy Goodies (proven nectar to the Boy Scouts). Sounds like you were in dire need of the boost. What great and helpful trailmates, too; now you reveal the early teaser re: J and J. Splendid resupply when you were*ahem* gassed.

BTW, why did the rangers confiscate the food cache of the Lewis party? Improper storage? Why not secure it for them? Testing via Ranger Consumption Method? I have visions of famished and cranky hikers denied their expected sustenance, staring at the throats of rangers and hikers alike, and sharpening their Swiss Army knives.
(ref: Chandler... Santa Anas...wives)...

kind regards,
Arocknoid

PS Along with trip pics, a WAV or mp3 of Moose's "Yodel-El-len-WHOOOoo" would be priceless.

[Ellen]

Ellen's trail donations, besides blood, skin and sweat:

1) Salmon marathon cap
2) Bole sunglasses
3) Three bandanas -- one was my vermilion one which I bought at Vermillion Resort two years ago
4) A pair of Smart Wool trekking socks and Fox River wool socks (the later purchased at Reds Meadow)

Saint Laura's Ursack disappeared between the Portal and Riverside but has been replaced.

All of the garbage I accrued since the stop at Muir Trail Ranch was carried out and disposed of in Lone Pine.

Reflections:

As before, the people I met on the trail impressed me as much as the beauty and challenges of the wilderness. I think I am at the end of long (> two weeks) backpacking trips. At several points, I asked myself if this was really how I wanted to celebrate turning 60

I'd love to do the High Sierra trail again. Sally has tempted me with a 90 mile section of the AT. Would also love to do hut to hut trekking in the Alps.

I am gradually emerging from my JMT coma but still want to flee when I see mobs of people at trail heads.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[Hikin_Jim]

Ellen's trail donations, besides blood, skin and sweat:

1) Salmon marathon cap
2) Bole sunglasses
3) Three bandanas -- one was my vermilion one which I bought at Vermillion Resort two years ago
4) A pair of Smart Wool trekking socks and Fox River wool socks (the later purchased at Reds Meadow)

There's something fishy about this list... and I sure hope you weren't wearing that cap to bed when there were bears around.

I'd love to do the High Sierra trail again. Sally has tempted me with a 90 mile section of the AT. Would also love to do hut to hut trekking in the Alps.

My secret ambition is to do the Sierra High Route, a route that essentially parallels the JMT but is almost entirely off trail. Real hiking! Trails are just a crutch.

I am gradually emerging from my JMT coma but still want to flee when I see mobs of people at trail heads.

Don't ever lose that.

HJ

[zippetydude]

Hi Ellen. Very nice trail report. I have a question for you - how on earth do you remember the details so well? Do you journal as you go? When we get back from a week of camping I can barely recall which day we went where. As a side note, don't the lightning strikes make you a little nervous as you climb higher and higher, especially when you push up to high passes that are above the tree line?

Anyway, well done as usual. We thought about you when we were up in Tuolumne. It was such a dry year that we saw only a couple mosquitoes the whole time and not one biting fly. If you do it again, perhaps you will have such luck. At least the trail didn't disappear under the snow like it did when you stayed with us!

z

[arocknoid]

Hello Ellen,

Thanks for posting the photos. You got some great shots of the grand open lands, and it was nice to see some faces to go with the names in your travelogue, such as John and Johnny.

I don't recollect seeing a photo of tents pitched *inside* a trail hut before.
Damnp!
As element-proof as the roof of Gene Hackman's self-built house in "(classic film reference for ye, hehe)." hint: Little Bill.

One other item was lost but not listed: bite valve for Camelback. That must have been the most vexing, well, maybe except the Bolles. "My eyes! Ze goggles....."

Always a delight to read your vivid accounts of hiking and trail peeps interactions. Whatever the duration you choose for the backpacking walkabouts, 'preciate your posts.

kind regards,
arocknoid