Journey Day 66 | PCT Day 66

Sierras seem like hiking along a corridor, occasionally climbing over the corridor into another.

6/21/85

Up from a rocky spot near the San Joaquin, we arise and quickly leave for our food drop, me without food or water for breakfast. As we reach Piute Creek trail junction and bridge across river, come upon Jeff, still lazing around his camp.

I leave Jeff and Keith and hike along to the John Muir Trail Ranch. Keith catches me as we drop toward the ranch.

Fortunately our box is intact. We sit and organize in the shade as workers, visitors, two young boys and the owner stop to talk. We eat from our cache, two candy bars and megabeefsticks. As ranch workers break for lunch, we head out, hot springs abandoned to high waters, thoughts of moving ahead.

Trail ranch was a nice spot I plan to revisit. Owned by Adeline Smith whose late husband Karl played in the Dallas Symphony and attended Cincinnati Conservatory. They’ve owned this spot for 35 years.

One visitor-worker tells us of giardia, renewing our fears. Since Crabtree Meadows, we’ve been drinking water without treatment. Mrs. Smith suggests it’s been overblown, as I suspect.

Anyway we hike out on what turns out to be a vicious climb back to the trail. Keith runs back to write the Ens a note. I trudge ahead. Meet two groups as I walk long switchbacks up to Senger Creek. Second group included several cute, young fillies. Again they cloud my thoughts as I struggle up the final switchbacks to the creek and an anticipated munch of new, heavy foods.

Eat dinner, beef sticks, drink Gatorade, wash socks waiting for Keith. He doesn’t come, so I lay down. Barely hear him walking by. He is ready with a short break, so we hike on to the beautiful Sally Keyes Lakes.

After a short rest, we walk on and make Selden Pass with little trouble. Almost no snow, most of the climb was to the lakes  below. Lake Marjorie is like a fairyland with beautiful peaks in the background. Big dinner, then quickly to bed, almost before dark. I sleep under the stars on a rock overlooking the lake. Keith near the path on the other side of boulder.