September 28

Distance: 23.9 miles | Ascent: 3920′ | Descent: 4980′

Mile marker: 1742.6

Lunch: J – green bean orzo (A), A – mac n cheese (B+)

Dinner: J – sweet pork (A-), A – taco (B-)

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It’s Jason’s birthday today! He thought it would be a strange birthday what with no cake or party streamers, but then he remembered that he went hiking on his birthday last year and the year before, so maybe hiking is just his birthday thing.

Yosemite is still dramatic. The meadow was foggy and spooky at dawn.

We saw a cool waterfall tumbling down the eastern ridge. It probably went close to 500′ total.

Walking along the meadow was easy. Then we ascended at a decent clip, but the views were stunning.

Before long, we were above the treeline and saw the whole meadow. We ate lunch at the top of the pass, overlooking our climb and grabbing water from a convenient little lake.

We popped over the pass into the Ansel Adams wilderness and got a new experience flush with rain, waterfalls, jagged and smooth mountains surrounding us, and just beautiful scenery in every direction.

This section also merged with the JMT (John Muir Trail, a popular thruhike), which meant we saw A LOT of hikers on the trail. Maybe 30 or 40? Waaay more than any other day in recent memory.

Thousand Island Lakes was spectacular. As was the ridge we ascended after we passed. We were suddenly surrounded by fall colors!

The clouds and fog settled around us towards the end of the day. We were a little slower than usual, taking in all the scenery in the dramatic lighting.

We scooted down the ridge towards our campsite. Then we came across a scared dog alone in the road. It kept looking off in the distance, clearly trying to figure out where its people went. A car passed, but the passengers didn’t recognize the dog. After coaxing the dog close enough to grab its collar, Jason called the number on the collar and waited for just a few minutes for its owners to show up. We enjoyed getting to hang out with the dog for a bit, but please don’t hike with an unleashed dog on public wilderness trails with leash laws. It can be dangerous, for the dog, wildlife, and others.

It was cold when we got to camp and we were slightly damp from the rain and fog earlier. Fortunately, we have dry clothes and a dry sleeping bag. Tomorrow is also a town stop. We can manage one more night.