June 26th
The morning is a mad dash of finishing up chores left undone the day before. We have lunch with John, Steady and Spirit. We drop off a few items to the Spirit Van, Steady’s rolling bounce box, before leaving.
John is sluggish from all of the “spirited” activities of the day before. We all decide that we really need one day in town to relax and one day to recover from the relaxation. But the Carrot and I press on after lunch while John remains behind for more time in Tuolumne.
Under skies once again darkened from towering thunderheads the Carrot and I hike across the meadows and down to Glen Alwyn. The trail is a six-foot wide “highway” from all the day hikers and foot traffic to this “remote” 6 mile away camp.
From Glen Alwyn on we leave the day hikers and re-enter the realm of the thru-hiker. A doe and a young buck bound across our path, once again fearful of humans.
Carrot and I make camp in Virginia Canyon at Return Creek. It seems a bit odd camping with out John. It’s quiet, despite the “white” noise of the waterfalls behind it. Fortunately we have brought a bottle of wine to ease the pain.