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I feel poor. It was worth it.

#JMT recap Day 10 | A late start out of the resupply makes for a hot morning walk (Photo 1). It isn't long before we've left the John Muir Wilderness (2) and entered Kings Canyon National Park. Our introduction with the park was a lovely stretch of following the San Joaquin River for a few miles (3) before climbing out of the valley. My pack was notably heavier with the fresh supplies, so I took frequent breaks to look back to where we had come from (4). We came across a patch of smooth granite that the river flowed over (5), which is a "slide", but I highly discourage you from ever actually sliding down them (this was right above an intense waterfall). Having leveled out again, we hiked along what was now Evolution Creek (6) for another couple miles before settling into camp for the night. Stats: 8.83 miles | Elevation gain: 2,185 feet | Elevation loss: 489 feet | Hours on trail: 8.5 #madimuir

#JMT recap day 9 (Part 2) For many guests, this is a day hike destination that was also a base camp for even more day hiking. A group of women I met day hike here every year on for what they call a “white sheet hike.” I call it a great idea. After my turn through the BYO sack lunch line, I headed to my cabin (Photo 1) to make room to organize my resupply. The ranch requires them to be shipped in a 5-gallon bucket to protect the contents from the elements for the journey from the local post office, which includes a ferry across a lake and a mule train for 7-miles. Being the last resupply near the trail before the end of the JMT produces a sizable hiker box (a place to dump what you no longer need, food or otherwise, for others) at the ranch (2). More than a single box, the ranch has buckets for different categories of things: gear, homemade food, packaged food, etc. PCT hikers often resupply out of these instead of buying anything at stops nearby. I procrastinated going through mine to see if the other hot spring was open. It was (3). As the sun rose higher, it got to be a little too hot, so I took my cue to do chores. I rung the bell (4) declaring the vacancy for those interested, thought the area was deserted with everyone off hiking or doing their chores. My clothes needed time in the sun to dry, so laundry was the distraction of choice from my resupply bucket. Along with the lovely drying lines (5), the ranch supplied a hose, detergent, and a laundry sphere contraption of sorts. After dumping your dirties, a smidge of soap, and water in it, your lazy day becomes arm day as you rotate its handle forward for several minutes and then back again for just as long. I envied a family with two boys who had bounds of energy to put into the task. At least the view from the laundry deck was beautiful (6). With my clothes on the line, I roamed around, admiring the scenes the afternoon sun gave (7) before I found my way to my cabin. It was time to accept I was leaving tomorrow and, therefore, needed to organize 11 days worth of supplies before dumping the rest to the hiker box. Miles: 0 | Elevation gain: 0 feet | Elevation loss: 0 feet | Time on trail: 0 hours #madimuir

Don't tell my dad I'm out late on a school night fightin' foo. @foofighters (so awesome to see @joyformidable open & hear 'Whirring' live)

#JMT recap Day 9 (Part 1) I awoke from the best sleep I had gotten yet right around sunrise and to the sounds of the hydroelectric power source for the ranch rushing by, the San Joaquin River. My tent cabin was nestled amongst a few others, just a stone’s throw from the river (Photo 1). I walked down the path to watch the river in the early morning light rush over the only road available to get here (2). They rarely use the truck on it, though, as the 7 miles is a far more comfortable trip by horse or foot. I still had another hour or so before breakfast, so when I discovered one of the two private hot springs was available (3), I took it as a sign of fate that this was my task until then. It is Japanese-style, so no clothing allowed, and you bathe in the separate area next to the springs (4) with the provided toiletries and a pot to fill from the springs to help you in the endeavor. Both of them are enclosed, and no one disturbs you while the door is closed, so the privacy makes it a lot more comfortable to adhere to the no-clothing policy. As for being clean upon entering, the water from the hot springs flows into the river, which is a precious water source for life all around the area. The water from the bathing area next to it drains elsewhere. At first, I just sat and listened to the sounds of the water flowing into the hot springs and the ranch waking up. Some color caught my eye out of a little window that had been built within the enclosure (5), and I continued watching as the sun colored in the granite walls within that portal as it rose. When I heard the breakfast bell ring, I toweled off with the towel I was given to use for my stay and dressed. While the hot springs doors are closed, this is a visible sign that it is occupied and you are expected to leave them open when you go. Before I left, I rang a bell just inside the door to indicate to anyone waiting nearby in the library or elsewhere that it was now available. #madimuir

#JMT Recap Day 8 (Part 2) Having gotten the pass done, one mental chunk of the day was done with two more to go. First, few miles of relatively flat lakes and meadows followed by a few miles of switchbacks into the valley that hosted my home for the night. After a brief descent, Heart Lake offered up a more expansive view of where I was headed (Photo 1). Yet it gave no indication of how lovely the Sallie Keyes Lakes area up ahead was going to be (2). Soon after, I crossed a meadow where the trail was more like a creek flowing through grass - look close, and you may be able to notice the water flowing (3). The path roamed through the woods for a while, and just as I was wondering when the switchbacks would appear, they suddenly did (4). I had been hoping I could make it for a late lunch at my resupply, but it was already 2 PM & I was just beginning what I would expect would only take me an hour to get down. It took two despite an aggressive pace, and my knees were not happy about it. I had spent the last hour hoping it was just around the corner and the constant disappointment was oddly draining. I felt like a shell of myself when I finally arrived at the gate to Muir Trail Ranch (5). Once inside, my spirits were instantly lifted enough that I realized I couldn't bring myself to leave this place tomorrow. While checking in, I asked if it was possible to extend my stay for a second night. I felt like the luckiest kid in the world when I got that "yes." The owner gave me a golf cart tour on the way to my tent cabin, which had an actual bed, electricity, and, just behind it, outdoor showers. I stepped into the shower stall a broken person and came out a whole new human (only the knees were still broken). I was ready to enjoy my first, and only, "zero day." But first, the dinner bell was calling and so were the private hot springs (6). Stats: 10.8 miles | Elevation gain: 1,877 feet | Elevation loss: 3,009 feet | Hours on trail: 8.5 #madimuir

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