The BIG Nasty - Forester Pass. Day 16. miles - stopped tracking, too many. 25,577 steps.

Wallace Creek.....

3 Chicks and a Hank!

Left our camp at 7am, pushing hard to get up and over Forester.  We are so delightfully surprised to see the approach to the Pass not covered in SNOW, as it was the last time I did this. (remember Dana?????)

It was truly a different experience, one that I was happy with.  It is a looooong pass to climb, but not being hip deep in snow is so much better.  We made it to the summit at 10:15.

Cisco and Tasmanian

Started our big downhill walk through the moonscape below.  The barren, rock valley below Forester Pass is quite something.  

We all decided to put in a long day today and push towards Wallace Creek.  The Bighorn Plateau was so dry it looked like pictures of Afgahnistan, but I'm happy to report that the BIG Horn MARMOT that I spotted so many years ago is ALIVE.  He greets you as you enter the plateau.  The first time I saw him, I yelled that it was a Bear!  He must be 100 years old now, but big and fat and still there!  He lives on.

At Wallace Creek by 3pm.  Wow.  Normal kind of backpacking day.  Short day, lots of sun, dry weather....yes, the Sierrra's.  

It was just lovely.  Sat by the creek for hours washing and doing my laundry (all of my 4 items!!!! skirt, shirt, underwear and socks)

It was nice to see our lil' gang arriving also.  When we had to go out at Onion Valley, we saw nothing but "Day Hikers" and missed our JMT buddies.  We caught up with Sadie and Kevin, Cisco Kid and Tasmanian Devil, and Geology Boy.  The German boys are now 1 day ahead of us, so I'm not sure we will see them again :(  I love all of the hikers and the instant camaraderie that you have with each other.

We saw a National Park Ranger today and I chatted with her a bit.  She did ask me for my permit and to see my bear can.  I also spotted a fire in the furthest mtn range, she said they were aware of it and were letting it burn.  It is far enough away from the trails.  Possible lightening?

Xan is a pleasure to have along.  It's very sweet for Joan and really makes me miss Shane.  They grew up together as babies, toddlers and into their early years.  Their personalities are so much alike.  Very calming and charming.  

Dinner party tonight with Sadie and her boyfriend, Kevin.  Entrees included -

• mashed potatoes with crumbled bacon bits
• mashed potatoes with salmon
• mashed potatoes with veggies and parmesan
• chicken and rice
• salmon couscous
• pita bread
• akmak crackers
• beef stroganoff
• miso soup

dessert!

• dried pineapples
• twix bar
• rice crispy treats
• Kathleen's good cookies

yum.  You hungry yet!!!  BTW.  I ate over 800 calories at lunch.  

Went fly fishing with Kevin's 3 ounce fly fishing rod.  So much fun, the fish just kept jumping on the fly with every cast!  Sadie's job was to get the fish off and back swimming.  It was great fun.

My weatherman (Kevin) is telling us that another storm system is scheduled to arrive Tuesday afternoon.  Well, that is our Whitney summit day.  We will have to plan accordingly.