Adventure 141, Center 03 – Yreka Welcome Center

Capture California, the Game-2013

Sherri and the Yreka Welcome Center

Adventure: 141, Center 03 – Yreka Welcome Center

Team: YOLT

Date:  July 29, 2013

Location: , Yreka

Description:
The Yreka Welcome Center is different than other Welcome Centers which we have visited. A lot of them are in malls or redone transportation centers. The one outside of Yreka is not on commercial property, but at a roadside rest stop. So it is at a place which travelers naturally go to for refreshment and care. This is great. The only downside is we got in a little after five, a few minutes after it closed.

So after being refreshed, we continued along our way.

Adventure 011, Tagged Person 026, Sam D

Capture California, the Game-2013

Gary, Sam D and the Anderson Welcome Center

Adventure: 011, Tagged Person 026, Sam D

Team: YOLT

Date:  July 29, 2013

Location: Anderson

Description:
Sam D is Gary's Dad/ We are traveling to Oregon and stopped in Anderson to eat and see the Welcome Center there. See Adventure 141, Center 02.

Adventure 141, Center 02 – Anderson Welcome Center

Gary, Sam D, and the Anderson Welcome Center

Capture California, the Game-2013

Adventure: 141, Center 02 – Anderson Welcome Center

Team: YOLT

Date:  July 29, 2013

Location: 1699 State Hwy 273, Anderson

Description:
As we continue our way north to Oregon, after stopping in Red Bluff, we came across a Welcome Center in Anderson, CA. So we did stop to get a picture. Then continued on down the road to a resturant for a bit to eat. Another place to visit when we did not need to get someplace distant quickly.

Adventure 011, Tagged Person 025, Bernice D

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Sherri, Bernice and Curvy Road

Adventure: 011, Tagged Person 025, Bernice D

Team: YOLT

Date:  July 29, 2013

Location: Red Bluff

Description:
Gary has known Bernice D for awhile, actually from birth. You see, she is his mother. We are traveling to Oregon and stopped in Red Bluff for a few minutes. See Adventure 225.

Adventure 225 – Curvy Road

Sherri and Bernice, Curvy Road

Capture California, the Game-2013

Adventure: 225 – Curvy Road

Team: YOLT

Date:  July 29, 2013

Location: Red Bluff

Description:

We were on our way north with our parents to visit relatives in Oregon. So Sherri says, as long as we are going that way, we might as well get some points in Red Bluff by going to the curvy road sign. So we went a couple of miles down highway 36 til we got to the sign. Too us, the sign is only ok. But what lay beyond the sign looked so interesting, particularly if you read some of the motorcycle blogs about this road.

But we could only look longinly down the road and store it for another day as Oregon is calling us.

Adventure 109-Climb a Rock

Sherri on top of Sentinel Dome

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Adventure: 109-Climb a Rock

Team: YOLT

Date:  July 24, 2013

Location: Yosemite

Description:
JD Whitney in his book, Geology called Sentinel Dome, Sentinel Rock. So on the night of July 24^th, team YOLT called Sentinel Rock or Dome under a full moon. No ropes were needed, just good books to provide traction. We also climbed this rock last year.

Adventure 011, Tagged Person 050, Mark

Sherri and Mark at the Sentinel Dome Trailhead

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Adventure: 011, Tagged Person 050, Mark

Team: YOLT

Date:  July 24, 2013

Location: Sentinel Dome

Description:
Mark is a friend of our son Steven. He went up on the Sentinel Dome night hike right before he returned back to Los Angeles. See Adventure 005, Hike 056.

Adventure 005-Hike 056-Sentinel Dome

Sherri, Steven's friend Mark at the Sentinel Dome trailhead

Capture California, the Game-2013

Adventure:  005-Hike 056-Sentinel Dome

Team: YOLT

Date: July 24, 2013

Location: Yosemite

Hike Info:

Trail: Sentinel Dome

Distance:  2.2 miles

Duration:  1:30

Elevation Rise: 450'

At the top

Description:
This is a hike we have done many a time. A lot of those times have been with a full moon. What makes this hike so good? Well, first, it is short and relatively easy. You get great views of the Valley. Plus, it is a dome and you see the entire night sky above you. Just a great place to view. Such as last year, we had us and 80+ of our new best friends up there.

Tonight, it is a bit cool with a cloud cover. The hike is our normal one. This trip includes our son Steven and his friend Mark. We start at the Glacier Point road and walk about northwestward. At the base of the dome, we meet the old road and the trail from Glacier Point. The trail then loops around the back of the dome so you have the Valley to your backs. This is always a good excuse to stop and look out. The top is reached around 9. There are people there, but not a lot of them.

We do get to enjoy the moon as it comes out from behind the clouds. Then it is back down the dome, keeping our headlights off for most of the trip back to the car. We get into Fresno around midnight.

 

Adventure 110-Take a Silvery Moon Hike

Sherri on top of Sentinel Dome

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Adventure: 110-Take a Silvery Moon Hike

Team: YOLT

Date:  July 24, 2013

Location:  Sentinel Dome, Yosemite

Description:

Clouds and Moonrise

One of out activities we like to do in around Fresno is to go for a full moon hike.  When it is an 105  in Fresno we head to the mountains.  One of favorite places to go is Sentinel Dome in Yosemite National Park.  See our hike adventure for description of the trail.  It is a little cloudy which is unusual for our valley.  But we are getting interesting weather because of the monsoon activity in the gulf.  We do not know how many people will be on the dome.  Last year when we went up there were about 80 people on the dome.  As we get to the top of the dome we discover that it is just us at the top.  It is cloudy and are unable to see vernal and Nevada falls.  we have to wait about one and half hour for the moon to peak through the  clouds so that we can see all that is around us.  We then can see the moon glowing around us.

Adventure 005, Hike 043-Day 24 of the JMT

On the way down

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Adventure: 005, Hike 043-Day 24 of the JMT

Team: YOLT

Date:  July 19, 2013

Location: Inyo National Forest

Hike Info:

Trail: John Muir Trail from Trail Camp To Whitney Portal

Distance: 6.3miles

Duration: 3:59 Moving

Elevation Rise: Almost None'

Gary and Sherri completes our adventure

Description:
Today is a lazy day. We do not get out of bed until late. Then we take off around 10am. Such laziness! But well deserved. Today is almost all downhill. But somehow, it is tough. Maybe all of the excitement has worn off. Or maybe the body just aches. But we make it down to Whitney Portal, meeting our son down there. See our blog for more.

(As a note: As of Oct 31st, the blog entries has not been edited, nor pictures added for Days 15 through 24 of our JMT experience. We hope to have that done sometime in November--I said it would be done in August so do not hold your breath.)

Adventure 003, Site 048-Manzanar

Sherri at Manzanar

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Adventure: 003, Site 048-Manzanar

California Landmark Number: 850

National Registry ID: 76000484

Team: YOLT­

Date:  July 19, 2013

Location:

Coordinates: 36°43′42″N 118°9′16″W

Address: Between Lone Pine and Independence

Description:

This is a place that we need to remember in order never to repeat the sins of our nation. Americans of Japanese decent were relocated to Manzanar after the bombing of Pearl Harbor by the country of Japan. Our American Constitution was violated and civil liberties of these US citizens were violated in an racist act. On the day of visiting Manzanar National Historic Site it was humid and 103 degrees. It is at the foot of the eastern Sierras-hot in the summer;  snow covered and cold in the winter; and the wind blows all the time. The heat if this day was a good reminder of what these Americans suffered in relocating to this harsh environment. Last year we viewed plaques

Guard Tower

in the internment camps of Fresno,  Turlock and Merced. It was also a sober reminder of our history. May we never repeat this injustice on any group of US citizens again.

Typical Cabin

Inscription on California Plaque:
In the early part of World War II, 110,000 persons of Japanese ancestry were interned in relocation centers by Executive Order No. 9066 issued February 19, 1942.



Manzanar, the first of ten such concentration camps, was bounded by barbed wire and guard towers. It confined ten thousand persons, the majority of them American citizens.



May the injustices and humiliation suffered here as a result of hysteria, racism, and economic exploitation never emerge again.

Commemerating their exile

References:

• NoeHill-State and National
  
• Wikipedia
  
• Ansel Adams Pictures
  
• Manzanar Information Site
  
• NPS Site
  

Overall Landmark References:

• David Schmitt's California State Historical Landmark (Schmitt)
  
• Wikipedia: California's National Landmarks (WCNL)
  
• State of California's California Historical Landmarks (CHL)
  
• Wikipedia: California State Landmarks (WCSL)
  
• State of California Historical Resources (CHR)
  
• National Registry of Historical Places (NRHP)
  

Adventure 005, Hike 044-Lone Pine Lake

Gary at Lone Pine Lake

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Adventure: 005, Hike 044-Lone Pine Lake

Team: YOLT

Date:  July 19, 2013

Location: Whitney Portal

Hike Info:

Trail: Whitney Portal to Lone Pine Lake

Distance: 6.37 miles

Duration: 3:21 Moving

Elevation Rise: 2,028'

Description:
You would sort of think that after walking the entire JMT hiking would be the last thing on our mind. But two things are of interest. First, meeting with our daughter Andrea as she complets her hike. Secondly, seeing Lone Pine Lake, which we did not go off and see. So that is what was done. See our blog for notes on this trip.

Adventure 005, Hike 042-Day 23 of the JMT

On Top of Mt Whitney

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Adventure: 005, Hike 042-Day 23 of the JMT

Team: YOLT

Date:  July 18, 2013

Location: Inyo National Forest

Hike Info:

Trail: John Muir Trail from Guitar Lake To Trail Camp

Distance: 9.41 miles

Duration: 6:52 Moving

Elevation Rise: 1,892' (we went up at least 3,500'-GPS is off)

Description:
Today is the day-the culmination of the last 22 days of walking the John Muir Trail. We will finish up on top of Mt Whitney, the tallest place in the continental United States.

Gary wakes up at 2:30 and watches the lights of other hikers climbing Whitney to see the sunrise. Sherri wakes up an hour later. Neither can get back to sleep. So by 4:30, we are up and eating breakfast. By 6, we are on the trail. The first 2,000' climb up to Trail Crest is surprising fast, maybe not easy, but we do better than we expected. So we decided to continue on to Whitney. The next 1,000' up has us huffing and puffing for two hours. How slow can we go? But we make it to the top and enjoy our well deserved time up there.

In talking with our son, he says that our daughter is coming over the High Sierra Trail to meet us. But we are two days ahead of schedule. So we are in a quandary about what to do. We decide to only come down as far as Trail Camp before heading out on the 19^th. For more, see our blog, like usual.

(As a note: As of Oct 31st, the blog entries has not been edited, nor pictures added for Days 15 through 24 of our JMT experience. We hope to have that done sometime in November--I said it would be done in August so do not hold your breath.)

Adventure 056 – Meeting the New Day

Sherri at Guitar Lake

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Adventure: 056 – Meeting the New Day

Team: YOLT

Date:  June 30, 2013

July 3, 2013

July 18, 2013

Gary at Island Pass

Location: John Muir Trail

Gary at Virginia Lake

Description:
Seeing the rose colored mountains turn from silhouettes to a pale gray to a bit of rose and organge to emerge to the full color of light, what better thing can you wake up to? You get to experience the coolness of the morning, maybe singing the Irish hymn that Morning Has Broken, and then being warmed by the first rays of the sun. Stretching from Island Pass to Virginia Lake to Guitar Lake, this is Gary's favorite time of day.

Adventure 003, Site 049-Smithsonian Institute Hut

Gary in front of the Smithsonian Institute's Hut

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Adventure: 003, Site 049-Smithsonian Institute Hut

National Registry of Historic Places ID: 77000119

Team: YOLT

Date:  July 17, 2013

Location:

Coordinates: 36°34′43″N 118°17′32″W

Address: Lone Pine, California-nearest city

Description:

Date Built: 1909

Architect: Dr. William W. Campbell

We made it! All the way to the top of Mt Whitney. We knew that the Hut was up there on the summit-Gary even has been inside the hut way back in 1969, while Sherri's previous climb was limited to seeing the outside of the hut, as it is this time. Today, we put our names into the registry by the hut and enjoy the sight.



The official name of the hut is the Mount Whitney Smithsonian Institution Shelter. It was built to shelter supplies and equipment for the Mars observation of that year. Also it would shelter workers during storms—which is a bit ironic since there are signs around the hut now saying do not go into the hut during storms. You may be hit by lightening. But before that, Mt. Whitney was a militaty reservation to study weather. Today, we study weather from high flying planes, but back then, Whitney was the best you could do.



References:

• Yuba Net – 100 Year Celebration
  
• Smithsonian Magazine article-August 27, 2009
  
• Sierra Nevada GeoTourism
  
• Wikipedia
  
• National Registry of Historic Places: Documentation and Pictures
  

Overall Landmark References:

• State of California Historical Resources (CHR)
  
• National Registry of Historical Places (NRHP)
  

Adventure 182-Reach the Peak

Gary and Sherri on top of Whitney

Capture California, the Game-2013

Adventure: 182-Reach the Peak

Team: YOLT

Date:  July 17, 2013

Location: Inyo National Forest

Description:
This adventure says for us to Read The Peak, Any Peak Will Do. But not for team YOLT. We want to cap off our experience with THE PEAK. And what peak will that be in California? Why the tallest peak in the lower 48 states. That will be Mt Whitney. This was the penultimate of our JMT Trip, 211 miles of walking to reach this point. For more, see our blog.

Adventure 005, Hike 041-Day 22 of the JMT

Gary at Wallace Creek

Capture California, the Game-2013

Adventure: 005, Hike 041-Day 22 of the JMT

Team: YOLT

Date:  July 16, 2013

Location: Sequoia National Park

Hike Info:

Trail: John Muir Trail from Tyndale Frog Ponds To Guitar Lake

Distance: 10.6 miles

Duration: 5:09 Moving

Elevation Rise: 1,397'

Description:
Today should be somewhat of an easy day-no passes to climb over. By now, we are ready to make it back to civilization. So we want to be in position to climb Whitney tomorrow. First order of business is to traverse the Bighorn Plateau. From here, we get our first good glimpse of Whitney, even seeing the hut on top. We cross Wright and Wallace Creeks, meeting up with the High Sierra Trail from Giant Forest. Then it is on to Crabtree Meadows. This is our final leg up to Guitar Lake, our campsite for the night. It is a thousand foot climb up and we are tired and hot by the time we pull in. See our blog for more.

(As a note: As of Oct 31st, the blog entries has not been edited, nor pictures added for Days 15 through 24 of our JMT experience. We hope to have that done sometime in November--I said it would be done in August so do not hold your breath.)

Adventure 005, Hike 040-Day 21 of the JMT

Gary and Chris on top of Forester Pass

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Adventure: 005, Hike 040-Day 21 of the JMT

Team: YOLT

Date:  July 16, 2013

Location: Tyndale Frog Ponds

Hike Info:

Trail: John Muir Trail from Center Basin To Tyndale Frog Ponds

Distance: 10.0 miles

Duration: 5:39 Moving

Elevation Rise: 1,709'

Description:
It is another big day-seems like they all are. This time we are going over the highest pass on the JMT, that is 13,153' Forester Pass. Even more so, there are dark clouds forming. So we need to get over the pass before it starts to storm, if it does.

So we get a good start at 7am and start the long ascent. We do not do bad and make it to the top at 11am. We meet Chris and Steve from Minneapolis on top and talk with them for awhile, giving time for Chris' father to make it to the top. Now it is a long trek down-the south side of Forester is shear. We decide to continue on a little ways beyond Tyndale Creek and make it part way up the Bighorn Plateau for out campsite. For more on this day's hike, see our blog.

(As a note: As of Oct 31st, the blog entries has not been edited, nor pictures added for Days 15 through 24 of our JMT experience. We hope to have that done sometime in November--I said it would be done in August so do not hold your breath.)

Adventure 005, Hike 039-Day 20 of the JMT

Matt and Derek with Sherri on top of Glen Pass

Capture California, the Game-2013

Adventure: 005, Hike 039-Day 20 of the JMT

Team: YOLT

Date:  July 14, 2013

Location: Bubbs Creek, Close to Center Basin

Hike Info:

Trail: John Muir Trail from Rae Lakes To Bubbs Creek, Close to Center Basin

Distance: 9.3 miles

Duration: 5:44 Moving

Elevation Rise: 2,490'

Description:
Today will be a bit strenuous. The last time we went over Glen Pass, we struggled just to get up it. Today we start out early. A lot of people pass us-Paul and Larry, several small groups and a group we call the boy scouts. This last group was the most exasperating because they were singing going up the pass, while we could barely get enough breath.

But we make the top, then begin a long trudge down. We eat at the Charlotte Lake junction. Then onwards. Around Virdette Meadows we say goodbye to Paul and Larry. They are starting to lag behind us—that in itself is a miracle. Gary will see them after we summit Whitney. We have dinner about a mile later, but want to gain more elevation so that Forester Pass will be easier tomorrow. We make it to the creek coming out of the Center Basin and find an out of the way camp spot. Read more in our blog.

(As a note: As of Oct 31st, the blog entries has not been edited, nor pictures added for Days 15 through 24 of our JMT experience. We hope to have that done sometime in November--I said it would be done in August so do not hold your breath.)

Adventure 011, Tagged Person 045-Matt and Derek

Sherri with two of the singers-Matt and Derek on top of Glen Pass

Capture California, the Game-2013

Adventure: 011, Tagged Person 045-Matt and Derek

Team: YOLT

Date:  July 14, 2013

Location: Glen Pass

Description:
Matt and Derek and the rest of their group passed us while we were climbing Glen Pass. Not only did they pass us while we were gasping for breath, they were singing! We caught up with them at 11,990' where they consented to have their picture taken. See Adventure 005, Hike 039.

Adventure 005, Hike 038-Day 19 of the JMT

Caroline and Lea with Sherri at Dollar Lake

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Adventure: 005, Hike 038-Day 19 of the JMT

Team: YOLT

Date:  July 13, 2013

Location: Rae Lakes

Hike Info:

Trail: John Muir Trail from Woods Creek To Rae Lakes

Distance: 6.8 miles

Duration: 4:24 Moving

Elevation Rise: 2,053'

Description:
This is a “rest” day for us. Usually a rest day says you may do a day hike, enjoy some leisure activity, and sleep in. We did sleep in, but we decided to keep going as we are a bit uncertain about our food supply. Also it will help out with the next day. Besides Rae Lakes are calling, probably the most majestic lakes along the Trail. While the mileage is shorter, we still do a 2,000' climb. We meet some several people who are doing the Rae Lakes loop-a Ukrainian family and a couple of Korean friends from the Bay Area. All of this makes for a pleasant walk. We get too the Rae Lakes in mid-afternoon and enjoy a pleasant afternoon break. Read more in our blog.

(As a note: As of Oct 31st, the blog entries has not been edited, nor pictures added for Days 15 through 24 of our JMT experience. We hope to have that done sometime in November--I said it would be done in August so do not hold your breath.)

Adventure 011, Tagged Person 044, Caroline and Lea from the Bay Area

Caroline, Lea and Sherri at Dollar Lake

Capture California, the Game-2013

Adventure: 011, Tagged Person 044, Caroline and Lea from the Bay Area

Team: YOLT

Date:  July 13, 2013

Location: Dollar Lake

Description:
Caroline and Lea stayed at Woods Creek, a little ways from where we stayed. As we were hiking towards Rae Lakes, they would play leap-frog with us. We found out that they were a couple of friends from the Bay Area who hiked together.. We both stopped at Dollar Lake. Sherri started talking with them and we got a picture.. See Adventure 005, Hike 038.

Adventure 005, Hike 037-Day 18 of the JMT

Sherri with Larry from Green Bay on top of Pinchot Pass

Capture California, the Game-2013

Adventure: 005, Hike 037-Day 18 of the JMT

Team: YOLT

Date:  July 12, 2013

Location: Woods Creek

Hike Info:

Trail: John Muir Trail from Bench Lake Ranger Station To Woods Creek

Distance: 9.4 miles

Duration: 5:31 Moving

Elevation Rise: 1,350'

Description:
After a cold, wet and somewhat uncomfortable sleep-our tent was pitched on a side of a hill, we emerged to meet the new day. The new day would be our first in awhile without one set of trail friends, but we would make another and merge with our friends from Green Bay. The first objective was to go over Pinchot Pass. On top of the pass, we met another person from Fresno. The rest of the day was heading down to Woods Creek and its terrifying suspension bridge-this is the bridge we went up to in May. Read more about our day in our blog.

(As a note: As of Oct 31st, the blog entries has not been edited, nor pictures added for Days 15 through 24 of our JMT experience. We hope to have that done sometime in November--I said it would be done in August so do not hold your breath.)

Adventure 011, Tagged Person 041, Larry from Green Bay

Sherri and Larry from Green Bay on top of Pinchot Pass

Capture California, the Game-2013

Adventure: 011, Tagged Person 041, Larry from Green Bay

Team: YOLT

Date:  July 12, 2013

Location: Pinchot Pass

Description:
We met Paul and Larry around McDermond Lake on the way up to Pinchot Pass. At the Pass we had Larry pose with us for a picture, Paul posed with us at Muir Pass. We have been traveling with them off and on for the past few days. See Adventure 005, Hike 037.

Adventure 005, Hike 036-Day 17 of the JMT

On top of Mather Pass

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Adventure: 005, Hike 036-Day 17 of the JMT

Team: YOLT

Date:  July 11, 2013

Location:  Bench Lake

Hike Info:

Trail: John Muir Trail from Lower Palisades Lake To Bench Lake Ranger Station

Distance: 10.3 miles

Duration: 6:15  Moving

Elevation Rise: 2,134'

Description:
It rained all night, but our tent kept us warm and dry. But we are still cold whn we get out of our tent. We start our climb towards Mather Pass, which takes all morning-as our blog says, this pass is really kicking us. But we make it up there by 12:30. Then down we come into the South Fork of the Kings. We decide to go a little ways further to a little lake by the Bench Lake Ranger Station. You can read about this day on our blog.

(As a note: As of Oct 31st, the blog entries has not been edited, nor pictures added for Days 15 through 24 of our JMT experience. We hope to have that done sometime in November--I said it would be done in August so do not hold your breath.)

Adventure 005, Hike 035-Day 16 of the JMT

Gary at Jct of the Middle Fork of the Kings

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Adventure: 005, Hike 035-Day 16 of the JMT

Team: YOLT

Date:  July 10, 2013

Location: Lower Palisades Lake

Hike Info:

Trail: John Muir Trail from Le Conte Station To Lower Palisades Lake

Distance: 10.3 miles

Duration: 5:52 Moving

Elevation Rise: 2,546'

Description:
The day starts out clear, but around 10 a front comes through. By the time we reach our camp, we have gotten rained on. We head down towards the junction with the Palisades Creek and the Middle Fork of the Kings. Then it is a long slog up Palisades Creek. But there are moments of goodness. Such as talking with a trail crew or having a break with Larry and Paul. But the Golden Staircase will take out whatever energy you have, that is until you get to Palisades Lake. Not much of a campspot, we that is compensated for by camping with some trail friends. For more, read out blog.

(As a note: As of Oct 31st, the blog entries has not been edited, nor pictures added for Days 15 through 24 of our JMT experience. We hope to have that done sometime in November--I said it would be done in August so do not hold your breath.)

Adventure 005, Hike 034-Day 15 of the JMT

Paul from Green Bay and Sherri at Muir Pass

Capture California, the Game-2013

Adventure: 005, Hike 034-Day 15 of the JMT

Team: YOLT

Date:  July 9, 2013

Location: Le Conte Ranger Station

Hike Info:

Trail: John Muir Trail from Sapphire Lake To Le Conte Ranger Station

Distance: 11.0 miles

Duration: 6:47 Moving

Elevation Rise: 1,014'

Description:
We got a good start and made it to Muir Pass by 10:45. While the climb was not that much, the altitude did get to us. We spend about 45 minutes on top and meet a couple of hikers which we will be spending the next week with—Larry and Paul from Green Bay. Then we start down. At Helen Lake, we have lunch then it is down the Middle Fork of the Kings to the Bishop Pass trail junction. For more, read our blog-it is incomplete as of Oct 10^th.

(As a note: As of Oct 31st, the blog entries has not been edited, nor pictures added for Days 15 through 24 of our JMT experience. We hope to have that done sometime in November--I said it would be done in August so do not hold your breath.)

Adventure 011, Tagged Person 040, Paul from Green Bay

Paul from Green Bay and Sherri on top of Muir Pass

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Adventure: 011, Tagged Person 040, Paul from Green Bay

Team: YOLT

Date:  July 9, 2013

Location: Muir Pass

Description:
We met Paul and Larry around McDermond Lake on the way up to Muir Pass. At the Pass we had Paul pose with us for a picture. We will be traveling with them off and on for the next week. See Adventure 005, Hike 034.

Adventure 005, Hike 033-Colby Meadows to Sapphire Lake

Overlooking Evolution Valley

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Adventure: 005, Hike 033-Colby Meadows to Sapphire Lake

Team: YOLT
Date:  July 8, 2013
Location: Kings Canyon

Hike Info:
Trail: John Muir Trail – Day Fourteen
Distance: 5.1 miles
Duration: 3:06 Moving
Elevation Rise: 1,186'



Description:
A so called short day on our JMT trek. But one which we see incredible beauty and stupidity. Read more in our blog.

Adventure 011, Tagged Person 042, Jim

Jim and Gary at Piute Creek

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Adventure: 011, Tagged Person 042, Jim

Team: YOLT
Date:  July 7, 2013
Location: Piute Creek

Description:
This is a different Jim than yesterday's. Yesterdays was from around Santa Cruz; today's is from the Chico area. Jim and Sherri talked about trail food for about a mile, with Jim giving us a helpful hint on where to get dehydrated chicken. See Adventure 005, Hike 032.

Adventure 005, Hike 032 – San Joaquin River to Colby Meadow

Jim and Gary at Piute Creek

Sherri at the San Joaquin

lifornia, the Game-2013
Adventure: 005, Hike 032 – San Joaquin River to Colby Meadow

Team: YOLT
Date:  July 7, 2013
Location: Kings Canyon National Park

Hike Info:
Trail: John Muir Trail
Distance: 11.6 miles
Duration: 7:13 Moving
Elevation Rise: 2,540'



Description:
We are now moving into Kings Canyon National Park. And as we do, we enter into one of the most glorious areas of the Sierra's—Evolution Valley. If you want to see some pictures, take a look at our blog.

Adventure 011, Tagged Person 039, Jim and Isaac

Jim from UCSC, Gary and Isaac from India

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 011, Tagged Person 039, Jim and Isaac

Team: YOLT
Date:  July 6, 2013
Location: Seldon Pass

Description:
We met Jim on top of Seldon Pass he was waiting for his meetup group from Santa Cruz. In talking with him, he is a programmer at UCSC. A little while later Isaac came up the trail. We had seen him at VVR a couple of days earlier. He was trying to do the JMT on the cheap and light. But he was concerned about running out of food-he is only seventeen from India. See Adventure 005, Hike 031.

Adventure 005, Hike 031 – Bear Creek to San Joaquin River

Jim from UCSC, Gary and Issac

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 005, Hike 031 – Bear Creek to San Joaquin River

Team: YOLT
Date:  July 6, 2013
Location: Sierra National Forest

Hike Info:
Trail: John Muir Trail, Day Twelve
Distance: 11.3 miles
Duration: 6:05 Moving
Elevation Rise: 1,120'



Description:
Another day of hiking, another day closer to our goal of completing the JMT. But today was quite fabulous. Seldon Pass with Marie Lake was just drop dead gorgeous. To read more, see our blog.

Adventure 011, Tagged Person 038, Fritz W

Sherri and Fritz at Bear Ridge Trailhead

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 011, Tagged Person 038, Fritz W

Team: YOLT
Date:  July 5, 2013
Location: Start of Bear Ridge Trail

Description:
On the Trail, some people come into your life and stay there for a long time. We actually met Fritz a few days earlier at Red's Meadow. We then hiked with him for a few days before he went on. At Edison Lake, Fritz and his wife Ethel allowed us to stay with them in their room. He then drove us about two miles to the Bear Ridge Trailhead. I suspect we will be seeing more of Fritz and Ethel for awhile  ² . See Adventure 005, Hike 030.

Adventure 005, Hike 030 - Edison Lake to Bear Creek Crossing

Sherri and Fritz at the start of the Bear Ridge Trail

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 005, Hike 030 - Edison Lake to Bear Creek Crossing

Team: YOLT
Date:  July 5, 2013
Location: Sierra National Forest

Hike Info:
Trail: John Muir Trail-Edison Lake to Bear Creek Crossing
Distance: 10.0 miles
Duration: 5:33 Moving
Elevation Rise: 2,580'



Description:
Today is the hard day-35 pounds on Sherri's back and 60+ pounds for Gary. Plus a pretty steep uphill. But there are rewards. We meet people from Fresno and others whom we will enjoy on the trail for the days to come. For more, read our blog.

Adventure 011, Tagged Person 037, Ivan

Gary and Ivan at Mott Creek Jct

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 011, Tagged Person 037, Ivan

Team: YOLT
Date:  July 4, 2013
Location: Mott Creek

Description:
On the Trail, some people come into your life and stay there for a long time. Others just come in for the moment. We met Ivan when we came to the junction of the JMT and Mott Creek trails. He was going back up that trail, just stopping here to see if he could meet another hiker coming in from Edison. See Adventure 005, Hike 029 .

Adventure 005, Hike 029 – Pocket Meadow to Edison Lake

Gary and Ivan at Mott Creek

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 005, Hike 029 – Pocket Meadow to Edison Lake

Team: YOLT
Date:  July 4, 2013
Location: Edison Lake

Hike Info:
Trail: John Muir Trail-Pocket Meadow to Edison Lake
Distance: 3.71 miles
Duration: 1:49 Moving
Elevation Rise: 121'



Description:
A short days hike today. A backpacker runs on thoughts of food. Today's thoughts were to be fulfilled beyond expectations. But first we needed to make it to the ferry at the east end of Edison Lake. We made it to the lake's edge by 9. But then found a ¾ mile death march across the sands of the lake bottom. Making the ferry, we got to Vermillion Valley Resort and hiker heaven. We ate our breakfast there—sharing a monster size breakfast burrito. Nicole found us and took us to Fritz and Ethel's room. A bed and food. We are in heaven. For more, read our blog.

Adventure 011, Tagged Person 036, Bill

Bill, the ferry man and Sherri on Edison Lake

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 011, Tagged Person 036, Bill

Team: YOLT
Date:  July 4, 2013
Location: Edison Lake

Description:
Bill has been keeping himself busy. From New Mexico to the Sierras. On his current gig, he is an all around man for Vermillion Valley Resort. Today, he is giving ferry rides to hikers across Edison Lake. I can think of worse gigs to do on Independence Day. See Adventure 175 .

Adventure 175 – Ride a Ferry

Bill, the ferry man and Sherri on Lake Edison

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 175 – Ride a Ferry

Team: YOLT
Date:  July 4, 2013
Location: Edison Lake


Description:
Cars have their ferries, but can a hiker have one? Well the answer is yes. At both Florence and Edison Lakes, hikes for decades have taken advantage of the boats across the lake to save themselves miles and miles of tedious walking.

Mountains beyond Edison Lake

So on July 4^th, Sherri and Gary availed ourselves of Vermillion Valley Resort's ferry service to go across Edison Lake. In a normal year, they have a boat which can handle twenty or so passengers. But with the lake as low as it is, they sent a large four passenger boat to pick us up, along with a couple of other hikes, including Free Range, a PCTer, and Federico from Mexico City. Bill was the boat man for our trip, a rather congenial fellow. It is enjoyable to cross a lake like this with good company and the mountain back drop.

Because of the low water we needed to walk about ¾ of a mile on the lake bed to pick up the boat. In the hot morning sun and the sandy lake bottom, we now have a lot of sympathy for the heroes in the movies who die on the desert. Fortunately for us, VVR had a van waiting for us on the other side of the lake.

• Edison Lake/Vermillion Valley Resort's ferry web page
  
• NFS Ferry Description