We had planned to spend Anna's Birthday (Independence Day) in Bridgeport but after all the motels, hotels and campgrounds were full, we hitched a challenging 35 miles up to Sonora Pass. As we rode up to the pass at 9600 feet, the alpine landscape emerged with it's snow capped peaks and passes, rushing streams and waterfalls, and dirt and rock trails. This was such a welcome change from where we left the trail at Walker Pass (mile 650) in the desert.
We have been catapulted from the back of the pack, right into the middle of it. Being in the pack has its advantages and disadvantages. You have more trail magic, more comraderie, and more choice of who to hike or camp with. As soon as we started up over Sonora Pass we were stopped when we saw a sign for "The Sonora Pass Cafe." A trail angel and PCT maintainer named The Owl had camped out at the pass for three days and brought up three HUGE chocolate cakes, fruit, coffee, and beverages for hikers. But as we found out last night there are a limited number of good campsites so you have to get into camp early enough to get a spot, or risk being forced to hike on to the next available spot.
While we passed by most of the snow and stream crossings, we have had to cross quite a few small snow slopes and cold streams. Toward the end of the day today we had a particularly steep snow slope to cross which shook Anna up quite a bit, but she is fairing well for having her arm in a sling and a sore rib cage. We are seeing less elevation change and less snow as we go North so hopefully there won't be any more hairy spots.
Coming back to the trail after another week off felt great psycologically, but again I am feeling foot pain as my feet get used to walking all day and they widen out. After Anna's pain hadn't gone away we were close to calling off the trip. Skipping up around the Sierra was really the only other option, and so far, it is working out really well. The terrain is more varried, scenery more incredible, people more abundant and trail more motivating.
We have already been passed by three of our old friends (Heaps, Ben and Paul). It was great to see them as it had been since the day of Anna's accident 600 trail miles back. The three of them were planning to do 35 miles that day so sadly we may not see them again. We expect to see Monologue and Shadow in the coming week. Todd is off the trail for a wedding, but we expect he will catch up to us eventually in Northern California or Oregon. We passed by Warner Springs Monte who jumped up farther North to beat the Sierra snows and is hiking back to Mt. Whitney and taking pictures of all the hikers he meets. As we were setting up camp, Scott Williamson and Adam came past and we got to say hello again amid a torrent of blood thirsty mosquitos. I was surprised they were able to keep up their 40 mile a day pace through the High Sierra and seem to be right on pace doing a 44 today.
Even though the hiking is great, I am very much looking forward to our stop in South Lake Tahoe. Not only do I get to swap out gear and shed over 2 pounds off my pack, but there is rumored to be a buffet at Ceasars (casino) with steak made to order, ten yards of different types of salad, and plenty of cheesecake. Yummmm.
Just another 25 miles or so tomorrow and we will be in by lunch on Tuesday.
Anna just asked me for the secret codes for the robins or snow birds. She must be asleep, I better get some rest too. Goodnight.
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