Keep your head up, keep your heart strong, keep your mind-set in your way, keep your heart strong.
-from Keep Your Head Up by Ben Howard
VVR trail junction to Duck’s Lake junction
17 miles
If you were to ask me to describe the trail of the JMT, I would have to say STEEP. You are either going straight up or down. Depending on how many of those you have in a day dictates how exhausted you are in the evening. Today I had 2 ups and 2 downs in the 17 miles I walked. Essentially it is like climbing 2 full on peaks. I am entering into the Mammoth area and tomorrow I will resupply at the Red’s Meadow Store.
This morning on the way up Silver Pass I met a group ladies that are also hiking north. They are part of an adventure group “Call of the Wild”. Quite of few of the hikers were over 60 years old. Now that is very encouraging! After Silver Pass the route passes by many lakes including one of my favorites in the Sierras, Squaw Lake.
Last fall this area had a severe wind storm that blew down thousands of trees. Many organizations have been responsible for an amazing job of clearing the trees from the trail. It seems that the biggest trees fell right from the root, leaving surrounding smaller trees untouched. It is an experience just walking through.
My campsite is sitting on a rock ledge and coyotes are howling in the background.
Brain stuck on that Silver Creek crossing photo. Does not compute.
I know. Right? Most of the difficult crossings last June were non-existent in the Sierra this year! Just not there. Lakes. Logs. Swift streams. So right…does not compute.
…and I can’t believe that massive waterfall I went through last year doesn’t even exist! Unbelievable!
I just stood there for about 10 minutes in amazement, wrapping my brain it all. Glad you caught that.
You quoted a Ben Howard song! He is my new fav to listen to on the trail:)
Yes….from your playlist! I listened to it many times and wrote the lyrics down. Thanks Wired!