PCT Legs. Day 9. 11 miles. 25,217 steps.

McLure Meadows.

Left MTR at 7:45, dropped off our trash at ranch right before we got back on the JMT.
I felt really strong this morning?  perhaps it was the wine? or perhaps the rest day we virtually had with only walking for 4 hours yesterday.  or maybe it was or complete dinner, appetizer, and dessert? Maybe the relaxing evening of sitting in the hotsprings?  Either way, I felt good and set out on a fast pace with a big stride that felt great.  Sorry to leave my group behind, but needed to walk out alone this morning. I didn't see any hikers on the trail for 3 hours.  Pretty easy day so far, crossed a beautiful steel bridge from the John Muir Wilderness into the Kings/Sequoia National Park.

 

Headed into the Evolution Valley on towards Mclure Meadow Ranger Station.  We are trying to plan the next 2 days so we are at the bottom of Muir Pass in the morning as we are dead on for afternoon thunder storms.  We are walking along a beautiful rock canyon with the San Joquin below us.  Still having great weather so far.

I miss my family.  Wondering how Kevin and Bodie are doing playing tourists in Red Meadows and hanging at the cabin learning to fly fish.  Wondering how Erin and Shane are doing.  I did hear that Shane was on a fire in the Klamath.

4pm.  Gotta get this backpack off soon.  These are long days with that thing strapped on our backs.  We arrived just beyond McLure Meadow before the storm hit us AGAIN!  We are camping along Evolution Creek.  We crossed the San Joquin on the South Fork with lots of caution - so happy that the river wasn't too high.  There were warning signs posted everywhere in regards to the water levels and the dangers of crossing Evolution Creek.  Crossed in our crocs, very carefully!

Hiked further into the Evolution Valley with one beautiful meadow after another.  Had a racer snake run right over my shoe.  It was fast!  

10.5 miles later and very ouchy, we stopped at a beautiful campsite. Washed up on our private "beach", did laundry, ate dinner and bundled up inside my bag in my little, cozy tent to wait out the storm.

 

I can't get over the Ranger Stations in these National Parks.  We walked up to the McLure Ranger Station and it was pretty impressive.  Why don't we have money to fix up our Backcountry stations in the National Forests?

Tip of the Day.  It takes Joan 40 puffs to blow up her NeoAir.  Make sure and sit down when doing this task, especially above 10,000 ft.

Hank continue to tell us great stories.  We have moved on from Ted Talks and This American Life. He's now reading a book called Astoria.  Hank is a great story teller and we are all finding ourselves looking forward to hear what happens next.

Gerhardt and Benno are camping near us.  We haven't really seen anyone most of the day.  They keep to themselves and are so sweet.  They stop every morning at around 10am to sit and drink tea and eat 1.5 slices of pumpernickel bread and german butter that they store in a little tupperware container.  It just cracks me up.  SO GERMAN! Kaffeestunde. (except they don't like the American coffee, so they have moved on to Tea)

Today was fun.  The scenery was epic. Miss my family so much.
sent DeLorme text to Kevin tonight with our shopping list for our resupply for Onion Valley-

• Lotion (cracked fingers)
• Avocado's
• Fruit
• Cheese
• Wine
• Beer
• Salad 
• Bread