Mile 942.7 – Family Time

We both dragged our heads in the early morning sun, staring at the ground below us. We were only 16 miles out from TuolumneMeadows and visiting our beautiful families, but we had one last pass standing between us and Yosemite. At 6:30 am, we left camp as usual, and started the tricky ascent up Donahue (11,000ft). We were warned the pass is hard to find, but had little trouble

navigating to it. What slowed us down to less than a mile an hour was the deep sun cups – depressions in the snow made as the snow is melting on clear, sunny days {Learn more: http://greenanswers.com/q/1421/nature-recreation/how-are-sun-cups-snow-formed#ixzz0s3pMKAhg}. Every step was pretty painful on our sore feet and the exhaustion of the past 9 days of pushing through snow was starting to catch up with us. We both remained silent for the most part and just sang songs or completely zoned out while our bodies were machines taking one step at a time to the top.

Two days before, we departed in the afternoon from Mammoth Lakes and settled in for the night at Devil’s Post Pile in Reds Meadow. I anxiously looked at the maps over and over again, calculating out the miles and terrain to Tuolumne Meadows. We were both very excited to be able to visit with our family and now the time had come to complete our last pass for a while and take a breather.

Justin turns to me about 100 ft away and starts cheering as he had reached the incredible view of the meadows and mountains of Yosemite. I ran up the last few steps and we did a celebratory dance before sitting and eating half a bag of trail mix. We did it. We had climbed 9 passes over 11,000ft since our resupply out of Kearsarge. Over 80% of our travel on the John Muir Trail was snow navigation – suncups, ice, or post-holing slush. We had forded rushing rivers and “Creeks” that were probably 33 degrees. And soon we were going to spend some relaxing time with family in Yosemite Valley and eat of course.

When we descended from intensely sun-cupped Donahue Pass into Yosemite National Park, we started seeing one hiker group after another pretty frequently along the 10 miles of trail to Tuolumne Meadows. Summer was in full swing in the park! We new we were getting close to Tuolumne Meadows when we started to chit chat with day hikers strolling to the roaring river.

Justin and I joke that we have the most amazing navigational skills with simply a map and compass in the snow covered wilderness – but the minute we arrive in parks with signs… that all goes out the window. We took the extra long scenic route to the road in Tuolumne Meadows. As we were climbing up some random road, scratching our heads at where we might be, two kids came up to us and asked “Are you PCT hikers?” in a tone that made us realize they were not even really sure what that meant.

“Yes…” we quickly replied.

“Oh, well there is some guy down the road who has food and drinks for you.”

We both looked at each other, so curious as to who might be in the park with food for us, and both started running down the road. Yes, running with packs on. “Is it your Dad??” I asked Justin. “Well he must have a flying carpet if it is. I just talked to him an hour ago at his house!” he replied.

Who could it be?? We kept walking along the road quickly (because of course we took the super long way) and lo and behold it was Avocado man! We first met Avocado man on the grueling 40 mile roadwalk we took down south near Agua Dulce. He pulled over and in the most unique fashion, pulled out avocados for Tiff, Aaron, Justin and I. We have also spotted him at a trail angel’s house and at Kearsarge Pass dropping off Freebird when we were going to town for a re-supply! He told us he felt the presence of hikers entering the park today from the trail and so, even though he was not sure who it was, he decided to drive over from Lee Vining and give us some treats. Snickers,brownies, apple pie, an orange, chips, and a little congratulatory bottle of wine, that is! “Congratulations on completing the Southern Sierra section you two” he said and it was the moment at which we had realized all we have been through. I sat down and enjoyed every bit of my treats while talking to Avocado man and unraveling a little of the mystery behind his whereabouts.

After our sugar loaded meal, we departed ways with Avocado man once again, knowing very well we will probably see him again, and headed to Tuolumne Meadows camp area where we met Tom, a learning disability teacher from New Jersey, who was willing to give us a ride to the Groveland entrance to the National Park where we planned to meet Whitney, Justin’s dad, the next morning. The 46 mile drive went by fast as we chatted about life and the park. We stopped and viewed Half Dome from Olmstead Point and also checked out the entrance to Tuolumne Giant Sequoia Grove. Thank you Tom for the great conversation and fun adventure in water hunting.

The next morning, we waited anxiously for Whitney to arrive, watching all the tourist drive up to Yosemite. We felt quite different from them, and looked and smelled quite different, but felt at peace sitting aside from the chaos of the shuffling crowds. When we saw Whitney’s van turn around the highway corner, we jumped for joy and both ran to give him big hugs (and investigate what treats he had of course!). We decided to drive to Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, a place Whitney had never been, and took a lunchtime stroll around the dam while eating amazing homemade corn beef sandwhiches.

Since Tuolumne Meadows had still not open due to the late snowmelt this year, and the valley floor’s campgrounds were all full, we needed to find another place to camp. Lucky for us, we have a friend in Groveland! We are staying at one of the sites we work at for Web of Life Field School – Camp Tuolumne Trails! John, the site director here, is an amazing fellow, who is letting us spend the weekend hanging out in his cabin which he uses as an office. My mother and Ron arrived in the late afternoon and we all settled in to a delicious lasagna meal made by Whit as well as a peaceful sunset walk to the frog pound on the site.

Saturday, Justin’s sister Janna arrived in the morning, and we explored the valley floor of Yosemite and took our family to all our favorite spots. It felt like LA to Justin and I, with all the cars and people flooding the streets and paths. What a difference from the 3 people we saw for 8 days on the John Muir Trail! Relaxed and happy, we all came back and sat at the porch of our cabin in the late day heat (new concept to us as well) and chatted the afternoon away before enjoying a night out in Groveland for Mexican food and delicious ice cream (Thanks Nickel for the heaping portions!!!! You are awesome!).

We have packed for 6 more days of travel and are departing this afternoon from the Valley floor. We have decided to climb up Half Dome before hiking the Sunrise trail to Tenaya Lake and then getting back to the PCT. What we do know is it is time to start moving again. In the past two days I’m pretty sure I’ve eaten my weight in food. Speaking of weight – I have lost 9 lbs yet gained over 6lbs of muscle (according to Justin’s fancy scale).

Next stop – Bridgeport for a 4th of July Celebration in style! Happy Summer!

~ Buckeye