Goal for the day: Lyell Fork Bridge

Unfortunately, with the resupply my pack gained many pounds to make it the 3-4 days down to Reds Meadow. Wish they had a scale at Tuolumne Meadows so I’d know exactly how much, but it was probably 2-3 pounds over what I started with down in the Valley.

The 21 day sample schedule I am using for reference lists this segment as 3 days, but I’m giving it 4 days.

I REALLY didn’t feel like continuing when waking up that morning. Even before packing my gear, I was not very motivated. This night was probably the worst night’s sleep I had gotten up to that point. I use earplugs, so it wasn’t the noise from the other backpackers. Maybe it was exhaustion from the long day the day before. I even looked up the YARTS bus schedule to see when I could abort back to the Valley by catching the bus. Not a good sign.

Fortunately, after packing my gear, having breakfast, and having my last Diet Coke (from my resupply package), I mustered the motivation to put my pack on and head towards the JMT. My pack didn’t seem that much heavier, so that was a relief.

Since I had taken care of the little loop the JMT takes around Tuolumne Meadows the day before, this day would start out with a simple stroll though Lyell Canyon. Since it’s mostly meadows running along the Lyell Fork of the Tuolumne River, there only a little elevation to climb for the first 8 miles. I still wanted to get some of the remaining elevation done to lessen the final climb to Donahue Pass the next day.

But then I ran out of steam at the end of the canyon before the big climb. 10 miles in 8 hours was enough considering I almost gave up that morning.

Only 500 feet climbed though (it’s a very long canyon).

This means I’ll have 2,000 feet to climb tomorrow to reach Donahue Pass. Hopefully fresh legs will help.

Coyote!! As I was settling into my camp I heard a rustle to my side. I turned and saw a coyote trotting towards me.

I yelped and surprised us both. I got a couple of quick pictures as he scurried off, but I didn’t manage to capture him in them. I made a point to keep an eye out for him that evening. Since I was surrounded by trees, there wasn’t much to see at sunset.

10 miles hiked, 8 hours, 500 feet climbed
33 total miles hiked on the JMT

Highlights:
• Beautiful meadows
• Came up a little short of daily goal 🙁