July 6th
Ziggy, the owner of the motel, gave Mouse, Carrot and I a ride to the post office and then back up to the trail. With sandwiches to go from the Echo Lake Resort we set out. The trail enters the Desolation Lakes Wilderness Area, which is anything but desolate. In fact, it’s one of the busiest of all the wilderness areas. The first few miles pass the numerous cabins, which line Echo Lake, and we passed numerous day hikers.
Low granite peaks, with cracked lines polished soft and smooth, surround the many lakes which dot this high, glacial carved basin. A towering thunderhead forms to the east and south of us. Eventually it spreads out and becomes so large that it darkens the skies overhead and envelopes the whole area. It hangs around through the evening but oddly never develops any thunder, lightening, rain or hail.
The scenery is familiar from previous trips, yet different because of the ever changing conditions such as light, weather, snow pack and wildflowers. What doesn’t change is the long, steady climb to Dick’s Pass and the frustration of having to climb the ridge above the pass to cross the divide. Still we enjoy the views from the 9,300-foot top, the last time that we will be this high on the PCT. Ahead, you can see the Sierras soften up and flatten out. It is easy to despair that the best of the Sierras are behind us and important to remember that many unique and wonderful places lie ahead.
We descend to Middle Velma Lake and camp amidst the swarming mosquitoes, as bad as ever, and summertime backpackers just in for a few days. A beautiful sunset over the lake makes it worthwhile…..
