June 25th
Today was another very busy zero day; this one here in Tuolumne Meadows, where the lodge/restaurant/showers are a mile away from the campground/post office/store. Despite a free shuttle we spent much time going back and forth.
The “lodge” is a collection of tent cabins, simple wood frame and canvas structures with beds and wood burning stoves, but no phones or TV or running water. There is a communal bath house/toilet.
A very large tent houses the restaurant. Meals are available only during limited hours and are served family style, seating several parties together, randomly, at one large table. To the tourists we are seated with, these conditions are “roughing” it; to Crazy John, the Carrot and myself who are in the campground but are interloping in the dining room for breakfast and lunch, this is luxurious.
And we are entertainment for the tourists. We are curious and strange people with tall tales to tell, especially to those who need a detailed map and directions to find the meadows a half-mile away.
Back in camp we sort through groceries and supplies, with other hikers all spread out still in sites A8 and 10. Gordon and Sue have reserved only one of the sites but when the rangers come around to take a head count we claim some sort of “squatters rights” offering to leave but accepting their counter offer to stay.
Reflecting back on the high Sierra we rate the passes:
The “PITA” (pain in the axx) pass award, because of its never-ending agony.
The Most Memorable: Forrester, every step etched in the memory, probably because it’s the highest and the first “real” pass.
Most Inspiring: Muir, the sights, the snow, the hut and the namesake all inspire.
Easiest: tie between Seldon and Donahue.
Of course, an hour later the choices change.
We pack up the ice axe and mail it home having taken it out once, on Silver pass, for photos. For 200 miles it was 15 ounces of unused but necessary gear.
We picked up our “bounce box” and retrieve the water filter. Through the high Sierras it was, in my opinion, not needed, purity not being a problem. But now the trails will be filled with more horses and after Sonora Pass the hills are alive with cows.
After dinner at the lodge and time spent amusing more tourists, John, the Carrot and I walk back to the campground in the fading light of day and see many very tame deer. In the campsite we join the other hikers around a bonfire before crashing into the tent.
