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Day 4 September 1st Start – Deer Creek I’m on the trail by 6:45 AM and feeling good. There is a very dry section of 5.5 miles of no water between Deer Creek and the Ducks Lake trail intersection. So besides, cameling up, I fill my 96 ounce Platapus to about ½ full. This ended up being a smart move, because the temperature started to rise while climbing the 1060’ to Duck Pass. I met a 2 groups from the Sierra Club around Purple Lake and we talked and chatted for a short time. Did I mention that I am a Sierra Club Backpack Leader too? I lead trips with the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter. I had lunch at Lake Virginia. I can only imagine the nice camp sites that were hidden behind the trees on the west shore. Looking down from the mountain at Tully Hole is quite impressive. You see a small river or creek that snakes around a beautiful meadow. You know that you have to get down there and initially the trail gradually descends the 815’in 1.9 miles to Tully Hole. After the first ½ dozen switchbacks for so, you see it. “It” is the countless number of very long switchback carved in the mountain leading you to Tully Hole. How I pity the ones who have to climb this monster. It must have been over 100 degrees and the everything is exposed. The trail changes from a dirt trail to small gravel and back again. I ended up putting on my MP3 player and tried jogging down must of the trail. If it wasn’t for the views of the surrounding mountains and the beautiful meadow below, the hike would have been mindless. The climb to Silver Pass was a scenic 3.7 mile 1815’ climb. It’s the last .9 mile before reaching the pass which is the most beautiful. Just before the top is a 40’ section of snow which you have to climb to reach the actual top. I had to kick in steps with my trail runners and use my hiking poles to reach the top. The views from the top were spectacular! It’s a great feeling of accomplishment to see in a distance exactly where you started. So far, 16.6 miles away. It’s a different feeling to be able to see in the other direction to where you need to go. At this point, I’m tired. I start down and consider camps at the base of the mountain but they are all exposed. So I keep on trucking. At least it’s down hill. I ended up at a very small site behind a downed tree next to Silver Pass Creek. I’m so tired that I fumble making my dinner and hastily put up my tent. I have all my gear spread out either inside or out side my tent. I don’t really care at this point. I’m so dammed burnt out. The last thing before I pass out is check my mileage. I count and re-count. I rub my eyes and count again. I know why I’m so tired. I hiked 19.4 miles! Not a 20 mile day, but close enough. I make 8 time entries in my log |
