Day 69 – Kennedy Meadows North

Miles: 998.9 to 1016.9

Trail Miles: 18

We had camped less than 2 Miles from Yosemite’s northern border last night and already the scenery and terrain was beginning to change. Although we were still in the Sierras, the massive granite peaks were being replaced with mountains of volcanic origin. What I believe are slate or shale were everywhere along with volcanic rocks.

Shortly after leaving camp we crossed the 1,000 mile point. It was a nice milestone – I was finally in four-digits – but it was also sobering. I still had over 1,600 miles to go.

Like the days previous we descended one more valley to a creek and began a climb to a ridge. Fortunately today’s climb was an easier grade and not nearly as steep. At the top we gained a view of the terrain ahead. It was changing, yet still beautiful.

The trail followed the ridge line for about 8 miles, staying above 10,500 feet. It went through Toiyabe and Stanislaus National Forests, though I had no idea where the boundaries were. I saw a trail junction leading to Emigrant Pass. Aside from from reminding me of the Led Zepplin song, the trail headed westward towards a beautiful area. I may have to come back and hike it sometime.

One of the hiker apps noted there was cell reception at trail mile 1011. Sure enough there hikers stopped there, on their phones. It was over 10,000 ft elevation in the middle of the mountains, but I stopped to call HH. His flight should have landed back home by then. Tomorrow was our anniversary. I wouldn’t have service in Kennedy Meadows North, my destination for the night, so I called and spoke with him briefly.

There were still many snowfields to traverse as we continued north. The descent to Hwy 108 Sonora Pass was so snow covered that we lost the trail and followed a snow-filled drainage. The snow was soft but fortunately it held and there was little post-holing.

When I arrived at the road, there was already one vehicle there taking some hikers to Bridgeport, a town about 35 miles east. My resupply was in Kennedy Meadows North (KMN), a small resort and campground 8 miles west. There were 5 other hikers waiting for a ride there as well. Within minutes two cars had stopped and we were all on our way.

The drive down to KMN was stunning. I’d never been there before but I definitely plan to come back.

When we arrived at the resort, there were only 2 beds left in the ‘hiker rooms’ – shared rooms with 5 twin beds. I told Momento and Waterfall to take them. I’d camp at the campground a 1/2 mile down the road. I took a shower ($7 for hikers) and then ate dinner at the restaurant with Scooch, Momento, Waterfall and Karen, a hiker we’d been leapfrogging, before heading down to the campground.

It wasn’t until I showered that I realized just how badly the mosquitoes had feasted on me the last few days. I’d used bug repellent on my exposed skin, but they had bitten through my clothing. My calves and my back were covered with bites.

Waterfall and Momento were doing laundry at the resort, so I left all my clothes with them to wash. I walked back to the campground in my rain pants and jacket. They would be my pajamas for the night. Fortunately it didn’t get too cold.

I was also limping, still nursing my left foot where the leukotape had removed a chunk of skin 3 days before. I’d cleaned up the wound and hoped airing it out would help it heal. I really needed it to if I was going to up my miles in the weeks ahead.