“Don’t you know that there ain’t no mountain high enough.
Ain’t no valley low enough, ain’t no river wide enough.
To keep me from getting to you, baby.”
– Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”
October 13
Cassidy Bridge to Fernandez Creek – 20 miles with 4,700 feet of elevation gain
Problem: Pine cones dropping from nearby tree every hour or so during the night. Every time the things hit the ground near my tent, I woke up startled, thinking it was an animal.
Up, up and away I went today. The trail is in excellent condition to the Granite Creek Bridge, then changes to more of a stock, forest road with downed logs all the way to Clover Meadow. When in doubt, follow the cattle trail. It looks like the forest service has the section marked for maintenance. Yaaaaaay for that!
From Clover Meadow Ranger Station on is smooth sailing with lots of evidence of recent trail maintenance. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry when I saw my first fresh log cut!
I decided to take the recommended alternate on Mario’s map. It is 2 miles longer, goes up and down quite a bit, and visits beautiful lakes. It is part of the popular Lillian Lakes Loop. I had the place to myself. This worked out great because I didn’t want to be on top of Fernandez Pass at 10,000 feet. Way too cold at night!
It is tough to get miles in walking from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm in the late fall. It is super cold and dark in the morning earlier, not a great option and at 6:30 pm it is solid dark and the temps drop fast. I am in my tent and sleeping bag between 6:30 and 7:00 pm. Hiking late season is so very different. Solitary is an understatement.
I have made mistakes and learned a lot. The additional gear I added to my kit has worked out: gortex trail runners (La Sportiva Wildcat), Patagonia Houdini wind pants, and a thicker base layer.
It is really cold already at 7:30 pm. I have all my layers on in my sleeping bag along with all my electronics and water filter.
Tomorrow I enter Yosemite at the top of Fernandez Pass.
Lilian lakes, wow!!
Are you using a warmer sleeping bag?
Pine cones dropping and sticks breaking in the night: the source of imaginative stories post-hike (Man, that critter must’ve been hu-u-uge!). These are things solo hikers remember of which group hikers are mostly unaware. I love to solo hike!
Just looking at more beauty in the mountains. Lillian Lake is gorgeous. Thank you for these photos.
More beauty!! Glad the trail was easier for you altho the cold doesn’t sound too welcoming!!
More beauty!! Glad the trail was easier for you but the cold doesn’t sound too welcoming!!!