It is so refreshing to be out of the green tunnel!
Even better, after a few miles, motorbikes were no longer allowed on the trail - this made me very happy.
Its not that I don’t like sharing the trail - I think everyone should have a chance to experience it. However, we went from a trail that looked like this:
what happens to the trail when motorbikes tear it up
To one that looked like this:
trail with rocks tramped down by hikers
As you can see, motorbikes can destroy the trail. I laughed to myself when we came upon another trail junction that allowed them again - someone apparently feels the same way I do because they scratched off the motorbikes picture.
I laughed when I saw someone scratched out the motorbike pic as something that is allowed
Happily, we didn’t see anyone on anything motorized while on the trail today. We did see a lot of people on mountain bikes, but they were all very nice and I didn’t mind them at all.
Since the trail was in good shape, we made decent time, hiking the 15 miles to Monarch Pass by 1pm. Pig Pen was already there so we hung out with him while we ate lunch and got ourselves sorted.
The store at Monarch Pass is great and we were able to get everything we need for the next stretch, like fuel and snacks; this is very helpful since we aren’t planning to go to Salida. Because we didn’t want to have to worry about hitching, we decided to stay at Monarch Lodge, which is only a mile from the trail, tomorrow night. It’s nice knowing I don’t have to hitch, but it turns out it wouldn’t have been difficult if we DID want to go to Salida - a trail Angel named Neptune approached me while we were outside the store and asked if we needed a ride. I have his contact info just in case.
At the store I also charged my backup battery just to see what would happen. It accepts a charge just fine, but the minute I try to use it to charge something else it shuts down. I was hopeful there for a while, but it looks like I’ll be sharing Nick’s charger until I can get a replacement. Thankfully our next few stretches are relatively short, his external battery should be enough for both of us. Fingers crossed.
After enjoying freshly made sausage, egg, and cheese sandwiches (Nick got one first and it tasted so good I got my own) and after refilling our water bottles and after taking a selfie at the Monarch Pass sign, we hiked on.
First we hiked through the Monarch Ski Resort - it always feels strange to walk through the ski slopes when they are closed for the season, it’s feels like walking through a ghost town. For a long while it was just me and my friend, The Wind. The Wind really wanted my attention today because it threw out gusts of 50mph. While they weren’t strong enough to make me fall over, they were enough to make me feel unsteady. We were on or very near the ridge line all afternoon and The Wind was intense. Exhilarating to be sure, but intense. At one point I turned to face directly into The Wind while it was gusting and It. Was. Amazing. It was as if new life was being breathed back into me and I laughed out loud as it buffeted my face.
where I faced directly into the wind - 10/10, highly recommend
Even though the climbs were steep and even though the terrain was a little rocky and even though I was passed by 6 people on my way to camp, I loved it. I didn’t mind taking my time because the views were stunning and The Wind kept it interesting. Have I told you how much I love being in the mountains?
Google was the first hiker to pass me and it was great seeing him (he was getting back on trail after taking a zero). Then a guy I don’t know passed me as I was carefully picking my way across some rocky terrain. Then, just as I was starting to navigate a descending rocky trail, Shredder came up behind me. Shredder is one of my favorites, as you know - I don’t know where he’s from, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s from Hawaii because of his kind, lighthearted, inclusive personality. We hugged and chatted a bit and then he broke the news that Cutie was recently found dead in his tent. !!!!!! I was stunned, and still am. It’s terrible. Nobody is sure what happened, but if I find out I’ll let you know.
Hearing about Cutie definitely sobered me a bit. I’m glad I saw this view before I saw Shredder - the lake was the most beautiful color when I turned the corner that when I first saw it (seconds before I took the picture) I exclaimed, “Holy Shit!”
the sunlight on the lake below made it seem to glow
Peck, Lush, and Cross Creek also passed me before I got to the bottom- it was wonderful to see them again, too, so I’m glad I was taking it slow.
I felt a little anxious as I walked my way slowly down to the bottom and I think it was because of the wind - it was similar to when you sense a storm approaching. I got even more unsettled when i got the the planned meeting spot at the first lake and didn’t see Nick. I wasn’t really worried because the wind made it unsuitable for camping and I figured he had moved on. But still, because of the strange feeling in the air, I wanted to get settled into camp already. I checked the Bivy for a message and sure enough, he sent one. I love the Bivy sticks, I can’t believe we survived the PCT without them.
I laughed when I read “sorry about the cats” - Nick thought he was making a reference to the Hitchhiker’s Guide but I don’t remember that at all. Anyone else?
The trail leading to the next lake was covered in snow- I forgot how annoying snow is! I didn’t see Nick’s second text, so I again felt a little uneasy as I attempted to find him. I kept losing the trail and was worried that I had somehow missed him. But then Lush, who was right in front of me, picked up the water bottle he had left and I heard Nick yell down to her, “no! Put that back! It’s a signal!”. She was alarmed and seemed confused until I walked up and explained. Would I have noticed the water bottle since I didn’t know to look for it? I’d like to think so, but I’m glad it went down like it did (even if Nick did scare Lush a little).
Nick found a great campsite just above the trail - it’s surrounded by trees, which are doing a great job of keeping The Wind from finding me.
We only have 3 miles to hike tomorrow, so guess who will be sleeping in and taking it easy tomorrow!
Along the trail:
Camp:
