August 25, 2020
It had been a month since we were treated to dark skies and billons of stars. The air remained clear without a hint of smoke. The last time we we visited Tuolumne was when we hiked the PCT in 2014. it was packed with visitors, campers and thru hikers. The cafe and post office had lines of people. Now the post office and cafe are closed, deserted and dilapidated. The tent cabins are just frames standing ghostlike.
Our campsite for hikers was quiet all night, no snoring or talking, just the hoots of great horned owls. We were one of the first hikers to leave at 7:30 and remained alone for an hour or so. But when the hikers started to show up, it was a stream heading north from Reds Meadow. I guess the Mammoth area has fewer Covid restrictions.
The Meadow was healthy and the river running through it was clear as trout swam near the shore. About three miles before Donahue Pass we started our ascent. It began with a steep incline over rock steps. A half mile into the drudgery my pace was barely a crawl. I was overcome by the altitude and insufficient training. Perhaps a week breathing unhealthy levels of smoke didn’t help. If I had been alone, I would have called it a day. This would have offered another day of acclimation. Terry was feeling it too? But at 2:00 who wants to end their day? So Terry slack-packed me for at least an hour. He went ahead and dropped his pack and came back and got my pack. This allowed me to hike without a pack.
We found a campsite near a steam. We had only put in an 8 hour day but we were both spent. We’re still 1.75 miles shy of the pass. With no news or word from home. Terry has decided to continue with me. We know the days ahead will be less challenging and if thekp evacuation is still in effect, he can’t roof his house in Scotts Valley.
Mountain Peace 