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John M
climber
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One of the hardest things is not knowing if your body will be able to handle something because you don't want to be the one to mess up the trip. Plus if you are concerned that your body will break down and you are far from any trailhead, then you get concerned about how you will get out. No one likes to be rescued. Once you find out that your body can handle certain situations, then even if you hurt, things are better. Though the pain can wear you out.
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Seamstress
Trad climber
Yacolt, WA
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Fabulous. Go, girls go. THese experiences will help them for a lifetime. They are truly seeing the world, not just a vidoe screen. WHat wonderful times with their Dad. My Dad could never take that kind of time with me until after he retired. If they don't realize it now, they will appreciate the gift of time and nature eventually.
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mtnyoung
Trad climber
Twain Harte, California
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Topic Author's Reply - Aug 9, 2013 - 01:32pm PT
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I've spent my whole life working to be able to "take the time," and I've been very lucky to get to this point. Not all parents/people are that lucky. Part of it too is being married to a woman who (for me) is just the absolute perfect wife. She understands, agrees and enables these types of dreams and trips. I've been very fortunate in life.
DAY SIX
Day six started with a big hump up Muir Pass, then included a gradual downhill to Evolution Lake, ending there early in the afternoon. This may have been the most fun of the nine excellent days.
On one early break we decided "the hell with it," and broke out the new can of Pringles that Phil had carried in. Man those things are good on the trail:
Another break was at an unnamed lake just east of Helen Lake. This water body seemed to have a healthy population of frogs (and no fish - I guess there is a correlation?):
More uphill continued to Muir Pass and the stone Sierra Club hut built there in the '40s:
While resting at the pass we realized that, after this trip, the time will have come for one of our constant PCT companions. Those of you who have read a few of these reports recognize Tricia's teal colored pants from many prior trips. These have served well, and although early-on she wore holes in the back cuffs, she's grown many inches since then (including more than two inches this year alone). Worn cuffs are not a factor anymore:
No, the real issue with these old friends is with the butt; it's just worn out, and these pants will likely be replaced before our next trip:
From the pass we hiked down through fields of talus and past several lakes:
After four of the six miles that remained we passed Sapphire Lake and then stopped to refill water. While there I suggested that the huge overhanging boulder up off the trail looked like a "klingon warship" and might present some fun photo ops. The girls thought the rock looked like the one in the movie "The Lion King," but agreed that the photos might be fun (Bill and Reid agreed with me - it must be an age thing):
After the fun we continued down to Evolution Lake and then along its east shore to its north side. We found a perfect camp site with plenty of time for taking swims, sun-bathing, goofing off, snacks and relaxing. Of the several hundred Sierra lakes I've hiked past and/or camped at, this north side of Evolution Lake has to be among the top 5% for sheer location and beauty:
The evening was capped off by a wonderful show of alpenglow on Mounts Darwin and Mendel:
And so ended another dream day, spent again with my two beauties in some of the finest terrain on earth. I'm very proud of both girls: they are pretty, smart, tough, kind and also gregarious. They're being raised in a way that makes me doubt that they'll ever ask such stupid questions of a university dean (when they're parents themselves, if they ever decide to become such). Yes, sometimes in life we are privileged to dream and then to have those dreams come true.
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mtnyoung
Trad climber
Twain Harte, California
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Topic Author's Reply - Aug 9, 2013 - 04:35pm PT
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DAY SEVEN
On our Seventh day we continued down Evolution Creek to the South Fork of The San Joaquin River (all visible in the following photo):
We went through McClure Meadow on the way and across a ford of Evolution Creek (it's a creek but it seems to flow more water than the South Fork of the San Joaquin that it flows into).
About halfway through our hike I glanced at an approaching woman hiker; she then looked up and said hello to me by name. Only then did I recognize a high school classmate of mine who now lives above Sonora. Her husband is the Emigrant Wilderness guidebook author and one of the California PCT guidebook authors (and also a friend of mine). Wow, like I said above, you've got to mind your manners wherever you go.... Actually it was real treat to run into them (Ben was doing research for the upcoming new edition of the PCT book).
We reached a camp site on the San Joaquin with Reid and Bill. We ate, relaxed and mentally prepared for another massive uphill tomorrow into the John Muir Wilderness (and our friends would be diverting into the Muir Ranch nearby our camp site for a layover day - a "zero day" in the words of PCT throughhikers - and so we wouldn't see them after this evening).
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mucci
Trad climber
The pitch of Bagalaar above you
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Very cool Brad.
Such an experience to achieve this goal with your girls.
Say hi to the family for me, and most especially the ground support team leader Vicki!
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mtnyoung
Trad climber
Twain Harte, California
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Topic Author's Reply - Aug 10, 2013 - 12:54pm PT
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DAY EIGHT
On Monday we left Bill and Reid and started up into the John Muir Wilderness. The uphill was hot and heavy (we gained most of the 3,200 feet of up in the first four miles). We finally got some relief at Senger Creek:
After gaining the elevation we passed a series of very pretty lakes on our way to Selden Pass. Here's Sallie Keyes Lake:
And Heart Lake with Selden Pass in the background:
On Selden Pass we finally got into some of the smoke from the Aspen Fire. We'd been warned by southbound hikers that the smoke was terrible, but by the time we got there it was only bad:
We ate lunch and napped overlooking Marie Lake:
From Selden the trail leads consistently down all the way to Bear Creek. We kept going now, putting on more miles than we otherwise might because the girls were developing visions of hamburgers tomorrow at Vermillion Valley Resort. Also, we all missed Vicki after now eight days away from her and intended to get out with speed to see her tomorrow. Camp on Bear Creek was just under ten miles from the end of the trail. Both girls asked me to get them up early the next morning (what an opposite request that was!):
Next up: the last and fast day of an excellent trip, the culmination of a long-held dream. And a huge step in the big changes that are happening to our family; a bittersweet moment that I knew was coming, that we'd discussed at length, and which, when it arrived was more OK than I thought possible.
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mtnyoung
Trad climber
Twain Harte, California
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Topic Author's Reply - Aug 10, 2013 - 07:06pm PT
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DAY NINE
As promised, I woke the girls up a little early on our last day. We packed and were ready to hike just as the sun filled our valley. We had four miles to hike that were actually on the PCT. Much of this was along the creek itself:
We then came to a trail junction at the Bear Ridge Trail where we were to leave the PCT for this trip. Well, at least two of us were to leave the trail for this trip; the third, Katie, was to leave it and not come back.
Katie's interest in these hikes has been declining for a long time. At first I didn't listen to her on this subject, I probably didn't want to hear what she was saying. Time's gone by, she's older and her interests have been changing. Although she likes climbing and hiking, she seems to like them more when she's doing them with other people. This will likely change in a few years or in several (or maybe it won't at all). I suspect that in time she'll be OK hanging out some with dad again. But for now she wants to do other things, and especially, she wants to do things with other people.
We talked about all this before this trip and also while we were on it. Katie made it plain that this was the last PCT trip she wanted to go on (at least for the foreseeable future). At first this decision was tough on me; for years it's been three of us and the thought of Katie not being part of this dream (really, my dream) was difficult. But it's also not ultimately my decision, it's hers. And so it was made: this trip, and now, on day nine, this trail junction, was the last Katie would do with us on this fantastic trail.
I'd had nine days to think about this issue. And nine days helped a lot. By this point on the trail I was OK with Katie's decision and with continuing the trail with just two of us. In fact I think this hike, and this whole issue, were critical in me letting go of Katie in a greater sense.
Katie turns 18 in two weeks, she leaves for university in six. During this trip I really came to realize that I am done. Or at least I genuinely feel like I am done. I feel like I've given her every bit of knowledge that I have to give her. By the end of this trip I'd actually come to feel like she's raised and ready for the world. I'm ready to move from being the father of a girl to being the father of a woman. It was and is a good feeling.
And so, at PCT trail mile 874.5 we posed for pictures, we walked our customary extra feet (to make sure there's overlap and that we haven't missed a step - even though Katie's not coming back) and then we all three turned left on the Bear Ridge Trail and headed down to end the trip:
The rest of the hike to the dam at Lake Thomas Edison was easy, although it was severely downhill and seemed to be one final insult to Katie's painful shins and knee. But we got there and soon got a ride to Vermillion Valley Resort:
Once at the resort, the girls faced a dilemma: after nine days on the trail was a shower or a deluxe meal more important? Vicki hadn't yet arrived by the time we checked in, and, rather than showering only to put on dirty clothes, the girls choose to eat:
Vicki showed up soon after our lunch. We then cleaned up, enjoyed a nice dinner and then enjoyed a nice evening. We left the next day for Katie's orientation at U.C.S.B. (and man is she ever ready for university - we all had another excellent time during these two days).
Tricia and I intend to continue on the trail this month (we plan to stop for the year at Highway 120/Tuolumne Meadows). There's much more of the Sierra coming, including still more of it's best parts. But there will be two of us now and not three.
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johntp
Trad climber
socal
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Aug 10, 2013 - 07:22pm PT
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Just totally great! This thread is heart warming. Thank you.
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GDavis
Social climber
SOL CAL
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Aug 10, 2013 - 08:00pm PT
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Agreed, one of my favorite threads :)
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HighGravity
Trad climber
Southern California
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Aug 10, 2013 - 08:02pm PT
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Best TR ever!!
I look forward to reading each season.
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10b4me
Ice climber
Wishes-He-Was-In-Arizona
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Aug 10, 2013 - 09:08pm PT
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You never know, Katie might have a change of heart by next year.
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spidey
Trad climber
Berkeley CA
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Aug 10, 2013 - 10:04pm PT
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Wow Brad! I can't believe Katie is 18, holy moly she grew up fast!!!!!
She will appreciate these trips a lot more a few years down the road...even if she never does one again I'm sure there are tons of great memories and you've given her all you can for now but there is way more to come down the road...
I have to say I love the JMT section of your TR as I've hiked it twice now and it is the most amazing trail ever!!!! Your girls are amazing and they are lucky to have the opportunity to do this with you!
Allen
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martygarrison
Trad climber
Washington DC
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Aug 11, 2013 - 09:39am PT
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This is really need Brad. I had no idea the PCT went over Tehachapi pass so close to the freeway! Great idea.
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mtnyoung
Trad climber
Twain Harte, California
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Topic Author's Reply - Aug 11, 2013 - 12:06pm PT
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Of course you're right, Tami - at least rationally I know you're right.
Alan, yeah, she's a little bigger than she was when you were hanging out with us. Your comment caused me to go back and look at photos from our very first trip on the PCT, in early April, 2007.
We started the day after Tricia turned five years old. Katie was 11 then, Tricia's age now. My dad went with us for many of the early miles. My they have grown:
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mtnyoung
Trad climber
Twain Harte, California
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Topic Author's Reply - Aug 22, 2013 - 12:44pm PT
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We got back on the trail for another four successful and fun days. I posted a trip report on Mud'n'Crud under the title:
"The PCT Volume 19: Starting Strange and Ending Fun"
Here's the first installment:
Tricia and I spent another four days on the trail (as always, with Vicki's help). The trip was strange to start with - we returned after just two weeks away and it felt weird without Katie. But we quickly got into the groove of the trip and Tricia and I (and our dog Charlotte) had a very good hike.
Vermillion Valley Resort on Lake Thomas Edison is a fun place to stay and they have good food. Two trails reach the resort from the PCT, one is further south and one is further north. We'd exited last time at the southern-most trail (Bear Ridge Trail) and needed to go back there to resume our journey. But this is a long, hot uphill and we decided to do it without packs as a day hike, work up the PCT from there to the northern-most exit and then go back to VVR for the night.
Yeah, a 12.4 mile hike to get 4.2 miles of "our" trail done might seem excessive, but doing this part as a "day hike" made sure that we had walked every step of this part of the PCT and that we got to spend another night with Vicki (and with good food). It was worth it.
Here we are back at the PCT:
The actual PCT part of this first day's hike was flat at first and then went down a very serious set of switchbacks to Mono Creek:
Soon we reached Mono Creek and turned back toward Lake Thomas Edison, VVR, and it's boat ferry:
We enjoyed our evening at VVR with Vicki. We also enjoyed breakfast there the next morning. Afterward we took the ferry back across the lake:
From the ferry landing we moved back to the PCT:
We then had our work cut out for us. The hike to Silver Pass included 3,700 feet of elevation gain. One half mile long section of trail included 800 feet of uphill/switchbacks!
All the climbing was worth it however, the Silver Pass area is unusually pretty:
And - bonus - at Silver Pass we got a first, distant view of Mount Ritter and Banner Peak (man these are close to home!):
The rest of our 13.2 mile day led to Fish Creek and a nice camp near a meadow called (why not?) Tully Hole:
We spent a quiet night there (just the three of us), and looked forward to an easier, and again "viewful" day tomorrow.
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miwuksurfer
Social climber
Mi-Wuk
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Aug 22, 2013 - 06:13pm PT
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Great photos! Didn't know she was going to UCSB. If you are in town we should get out. Don't know when I'm going to make it back up there anytime soon.
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mtnyoung
Trad climber
Twain Harte, California
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Topic Author's Reply - Aug 23, 2013 - 12:46pm PT
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And here's the last of the Mud'n'Crud report:
NEXT DAY
Our next morning was crisp and cold - I came back to the tent to see a practical, experienced, young outdoors-woman with two hats on to stay warmer:
We then moved up to Tully Hole and did another 800 feet of uphill/switchbacks (but that was most of the uphill for the day):
Easy hiking ensued, past Lake Virginia (huge and very pretty), and then to and past Purple Lake (it was blue):
We got more views of Banner and Ritter - these aren't as big as the Palisades and other parts of the Sierra to the south, but they stand out more from the surrounding areas, and are, in my opinion, more impressive:
Dark clouds built up as were were passing the ten-miles-for-the-day mark. Then we got sprinkles (but not enough to do any more than dampen the trail. Then it started to rain lightly. So we put on rain shells and pack covers which... made the rain stop within five minutes:
At just under 12 miles we came to Deer Creek and a nice spot to camp. We debated moving on (to be closer to seeing Vicki in the morning, and to getting a hot breakfast), but with the skies still black we decided that 5.9 miles in the morning would be easy and we'd stay here. We set up the tent. Five minutes after we got the rain fly on and the packs inside... it started to rain again. I hope that I am not teaching my daughter that she can control the weather, or that she'll think she can always turn it on and off by her actions ;D
The rain stopped before bedtime, but a big, big wind came up to replace it. Eventually it died too and we got to sleep. Next up: a cruiser morning to Reds Meadow, seeing Vicki, and getting a hot, delicious breakfast.
LAST DAY
We started early on our last day, on the trail by 7:30 under scattered clouds. The walk to Reds Meadow was very easy, slight uphill to slight downhill on a very nice tread. As we got closer to Mammoth we started seeing some of its unique terrain, like the only-several-hundred-year-old Red Cones:
And what a treat to see the actual ski resort from behind - man we've made progress to the north!
Two Teats and San Joaquin Mountain were easily visible - these are above the "high" trail, which will be the next part of the PCT that we hike:
And of course Banner and Ritter were even closer (it seemed almost like one could reach out and touch them):
Two years ago a very bad wind storm hit northern California, causing tree blow-downs all over the Sierra Nevada. The blow-downs were particularly bad around Mammoth, and we'd been told then that parts of trails were totally impassible until the downed trees were sawed away. We could see why as we passed through these areas:
By 10:00 we were at Reds Meadow. As we approached the store, a group of JMT hikers passed a message to us from Vicki to the effect that she had made it in past Minaret Summit by 7:00 and was waiting for us at the store. They laughed and we laughed, since we could see Vicki in the distance already when they passed on the message.
We dropped our packs and had our first hot meal in three days at the restaurant there.
After breakfast with Vic we packed a fanny pack so we could continue another eight miles to Agnew Meadow, which makes a great place to stop and then start another trip. This was easy, mostly level hiking through Devil's Postpile and along the San Joaquin River.
Near the end of this hike our views of the ski resort were from the north:
We reached Agnew Meadow in no time, walked the extra feet up the high trail (to ensure overlap with our next hike) and jumped in the car to head home:
This ended our first PCT adventure without Katie. I for one missed her a lot, but I also had an absolute ball with just "T Girl." Tricia is one powerful hiker, and I'm very proud of her knowledge and ability while backpacking (way beyond what one would expect from an 11 year old).
We're already planning a two-day, 28 mile leg to Tuolumne Meadows for mid September (which will wrap up our PCT shenanigans for the season).
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Seamstress
Trad climber
Yacolt, WA
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Aug 23, 2013 - 02:11pm PT
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Time moves on.
We can relate to the change in your life. Our daughter is spending the last few days with us before returning to college for her senior year. We do not know if our nest will ever have a chick in it again. Bittersweet. It hit my husband very hard. Dadd and daughters, a very special bond. If we are good parents, we raise them to be able to take care of themselves. Seems like you did a good job, Dad.
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klk
Trad climber
cali
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Aug 23, 2013 - 02:15pm PT
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awesome trs brad.
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Darwin
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Aug 23, 2013 - 02:40pm PT
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Wow. The temporary parting of ways brought serious tears to my eyes! Beautiful TR and people and dad and daughters and mom. Thanks. Might Katie ever consider posting a reply? I think about my nieces (no kids of my own) when they were 18, that would probably be "No! I'm not posting a reply". Good on y'all!
UCSB, ... surf!!!!
Darwin
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