|
Day 11 September 8th Start - ½ mile before Dollar lake From Dollar Lakes the trail goes though the Rae Lakes and up and over Glen Pass. I’ve been hiking though this a area a few time in the past. It’s a great area to base camp to fish all the near by lakes. The trail leading up to Glen Pass seemed to me to be a gentle slow climb up. 1.9 miles to climb 1433’ seemed effortless to me. I like these types of passes. Once the whole group met at the top, we took pictures. I like to take along a picture of my wife and son. When ever I reach a mile stone on the trip, I have someone take my picture of me holding the picture of my wife and son. In a way, they are both with me on the JMT. I hiked with Richard most of the day. We discovered we both have a lot in common. We both are familiar in construction industry. Richard as a carpenter and me as a cabinetmaker. We both have a interest in digital photography and a concern interest in the with the environment. Richard happened to be a founding member of a grassroots non-profit organization named Coastwalk. Richard also is the co-author of 2 books titled, Hiking the California Coastal Trail, Vol. One, Oregon to Monterey, 2nd Edition and Hiking the California Coastal Trail, Vol. Two, Monterey to Mexico. You can get more information on Coastwalk at www.coastwalk.org. Both Richard and I have a creative “out the box” type of way of thinking. As we hiked together, we would talk about ways to invent or make improvements to all types of products including some of our own backpacking gear. Brain Storming as we hike. The time and miles just seem to past effortlessly we hike together. I describe Richard at 64 years as a great adventure and very strong backpacker and now a good friend. Jon who is Richards long time friend and hiking partner is a retired surveyor. We talked about how the technology has changed from “old school” surveying and the new high tech equipment in use today. Jon can relate to my inventive thinking, because some of his family members are creative thinkers too. Jon is probably the strongest uphill climber I know. At 61 years old, he can out climb me. Steady and consistent as the Ever Ready Energizer bunny, Jon just keeps going and going. Great, but I can take him on the downhill! Jon, is currently the Treasury with Coastwalk and I believe one of the founding member too. When I mentioned to Jon that I was low on snack foods, he generously gave me some of his home made trail mix. What a nice guy! The trail from Vidette Meadow to our proposed camp at the unsigned intersection for the Center Basin was a gentle climb with the Bubbs Creek running next to it. I love this part of the trail! We had all agreed that we would hike until 5:45 PM and then start looking for a camp site. Coincidently, at 5:45 PM we reach a large existing camp site. Perfect, with Bubbs Creek on the other side of the trail for water and washing up. Only 2 time entries in my log |
