Day 66 (24 June) - Mile 733.79 - 744.51 + 1.7 miles

Campsite at Mile 733.79 to Horseshoe Meadow Campground

I had a really good night sleep last night and when I woke at 6:10 AM I was ready to go. Today we only have 12.42 miles to hike to Horseshoe Meadow Campground where we are going to meet Tim and Mary.

I broke camp, packed my bag, and ate breakfast and was ready to leave just before 7:30 AM. Share Bear decided to take off a little before us since she was ready to go and planned to hike slow to start.

Audible, Brad, & I ready to hike.

The hike today begins with 2 miles up  and then meanders around 10,000 feet for almost 6 miles and then climbs for almost 3 miles to the trail that leads down to Horseshoe Meadows.

Most of the starting 2 miles looked like this, a beautiful pine forest:

Morning hike.

When we reached the top of the climb we were rewarded with this awesome view of snow capped mountains:

Amazing.

Snow-capped Sierra mountains.

After leaving the top I hike with Audible for 6 miles to Diaz Creek.

Audible hiking in front.

When we arrived at Diaz Creek, we collected and filtered water and had our lunch break. We got there before Brad and Share Bear, but they showed up pretty soon after. While there we were happy to see Sunshine stop through. We hadn't seen her for 3 days, so it was nice to see that she was doing well.

Sunshine finishing lunch while Share Bear naps.

After lunch we had a 2.86 mile, 790 feet climb up to Mulkey Pass. I was feeling pretty good so I decided to hike ahead of the others and push hard up the trail. Most of this section of the hike consisted of pine trees growing in crushes granite.

Pine trees and crushed granite.

Finally, at 1:50 PM I made it to the top of Mulkey Pass.

Sign pointing to Horseshoe Meadow.

Waiting for the others to catch up

Share Bear & Brad arrive at the top of Mulkey Pass

Three of my favorite hiking partners: Brad, Share Bear, & Audible

After a short break we headed down Mulkey Pass. It started out as a steep down for about 3/4 mile and dumped out into a beautiful meadow with a view of Mount Whitney:

Mount Whitney

Meadow with Sierra view.

Self-Portrait "Horseshoe Meadow"

What a beautiful meadow with stream and mountain views:

Incredible.

As we were hiking through the meadow, Tim hiked towards us. It was good that he didn't have to climb up that steep part of the trail, he would have hated it. Anyway, he led us to the campground where Mary was waiting for us.

Around 4:00 PM Mary put out an incredible spread to make wraps with fresh veggies and a really tasty horseradish dressing and a bean salad on the side. She even provided soy deli slices for me...she is so thoughtful!

After dinner Mary mentioned that she brought her sewing kit and asked if anyone needed anything repaired. As a matter of fact, my shorts needed some repairing, so Mary took on the task:

Thanks Mary for sewing up my shorts.

After a dessert of brownies and apple pie, we all got out food together for the next 5 days we have on trail before meeting up with Tim again. We at now entering bear country, so we all need to carry out food in bear canisters which weighs at least 2.5 pounds. Plus, since we are entering the high Sierra, I am now going to carry microspikes and an ice axe...pictures to come tomorrow.

The good news is that we are only going to hike 10 miles a day for the next 2 days so we have time to get used I the extra weight. With only around 10 miles tomorrow we are sleeping in till 6:30 AM with plans to hike out at 8:00 AM.  I can't believe that waking at 6:30 AM is sleeping in for me!

Anyway, it is now 10:15 PM and I am quite tired. Until tomorrow...

Tim and my house for the night.