Passed mile 1000 today, which wasn’t all that exciting, it’s just a number.
Of far greater import, I passed the last of the beautiful but infernal towering granite ridges that lie athwart the northbound route and make passage so difficult.
After one last steep climb up to Wilma Lake, the trail followed Jack Main Canyon, a broad, spacious, lush valley for 10 gentle miles that were a true delight to hike. The trail topped out at Dorothy Lake, one of the most gorgeous lakes in the Sierra. It being midday and the end of a climb, I stripped down and dove right in for a refreshing swim.
Falls and domes in Jack Main Canyon
Leaving YNP, looking back at Dorothy Lake
As I exited Yosemite, the mountains changed abruptly from granite domes and loaves to volcanic crags and hoodoos. It seems a bit more like the Colorado mountains now, and I feel more comfortable and at home.
Got a somewhat late start as Mishap, whom I camped with last night, lived up to his name yet again. At dinner time he was raving about the great chicken dinner he had scored from the hiker box (note- popular resupply points often provide boxes where hikers can leave unwanted food and gear for others to take). By midnight his dinner was coming back to haunt him, and he was up, loudly retching, most of the night.
One of the other hikers camped nearby was a nurse, and she kindly gave him some anti-nausea medicine. But he was still too ill to hike, so I made sure he had plenty of food and water and walked on. I hope he is feeling better by now and I will see him again, he is a nice kid.
Into the open country