11 September 2023
Junction Meadow to Onion Valley
(11 miles, +3,700/-2,700 feet).

Twelve hours of sleep can do wonders for one’s mood.

And so can this:

I’ve never been so happy to put on wet socks and shoes.

For I knew that they would be dry soon.

Yay!

I was only 11 miles from the trailhead, so I gave myself an extra hour this morning to get started.

And then the climb was delicious. The gorgeous Sierra was in perfect form, unimpeded by atmospheric disturbances.

In no time I was at Vidette Meadow. And I saw my first hikers.

Lots of them!

Not only is this the John Muir Trail, but the Pacific Crest Trail as well. Thru-hikers on both were taking advantage of a full summer of melting to get their miles done.

It was really nice to be social again. I howdy’d every passerby, and pulled over to say hi to anyone who was willing to stop.

I already knew where I wanted to take a break. There are switchbacks above Vidette Meadow that open up to a view of my absolute favorite mountain anywhere on the planet.

East Vidette.

At one of the switchbacks I sat for a while, gazing at the mountain, and I thought about my life. About my love affair with the PCT. My attempt to be a thru-hiker.

I started this blog as an effort to create a new life.

At first I thought that meant I needed to walk 2,650 miles.

And then I thought that meant I needed to complete any long trail.

But now I just think it means getting out in Nature whenever I can.

It doesn’t have to be five months or five weeks or even five days.

A single night can create indelible memories.

A single walk can work wonders on the soul.

Especially with friends.

I cried.

I missed Half Cookie. I missed everyone in the JJHC.

But I am so glad that I didn’t miss this. This mess of a trip. My petulant attitude towards what are quite normal backpacking travails cleared away at the first hint of a change in the weather.

And all that effort. All that discomfort.

It made the sun a little brighter today.

The climb to Kearsarge Pass was wonderful. I never like repeating experiences, but every time I come this way I can’t wait to come back!

I traded cameras with one of the dozens of people I passed today, right at the tippy top.

And then it was down, down, down to Onion Valley.

And then, the coup de grace. As I reached the parking lot at Onion Valley and put my trekking poles away, I got the fastest hitch ever. Sawako had just hiked to Charlotte Lake and back, and she was pulling out as I pulled in.

A magical ending to a magical trip.