Day 62 & 63: A New Groove

(883.5 to 902 = 18.5 miles, 902 to 917.5 = 15.5 miles)

Amazing reflections in the still morning lakes below Silver Pass.

Gumby and I might just be settling into a new groove.  We've surprised ourselves with good miles despite long breaks.  We'll find ourselves saying, "We're here already?  But it's not time to stop!"

Headstands for Silver Pass!

Yesterday, we hiked to the top of Silver Pass for an early second breakfast.  It was an easy hike, having set ourselves up for it the night before.  We both took a little solo time all morning -- hiking at our own paces, stopping as needed -- but met up both for laundry at the bridge and lunch above Virginia Lake.  

Blowdown the crews have not yet reached. Though they've done miles already.

After lunch, Gumby took the lead, and the miles just flew by.  We stopped for dinner and started back only to find that we were a quarter mile from the 900-mile mark!  Our goal for the evening.  But it was only 6:30.  We looked at each other and took off for another easy 2 miles.  Where we both had cell service!  And then it was all about getting ready for bed as fast as possible and catching up with the outer world.

900 miles on day 62!  More than 1/3 done.

Today was all about destination:  Red's Meadow.  Red's has a store AND diner, and is only a third of a mile off trail.  We practically jogged down the mountain to get there, stopping every 15 minutes to thank a trail crew volunteer for his and her hard work.  The manpower that goes into this trail is unfathomable.  Thousands of hands and hours go into it.  And this year was the 150+ mile per hour winds in the Red's Meadows area.  We would not be cruising along without the hours upon hours of trail crew efforts.

Trail crew volunteers.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

We arrived at Red's by 9 a.m. and spent the next four hours there!  Eating, purchasing essentials from the store, charging electronics, writing postcards, social media'ing the outside world, and talking to the JMT hikers.  I really enjoy the JMT'ers -- full of energy and conversation.  It has been a treat having so many passing us this past week.  (Most seem to be southbound.  So we bump into them constantly!)  I am looking forward to being one someday.  :)  After Red's, we swung through Devil's Postpile and were off again! 

Gumby, clearing trail.

Now, we're tucked in our damp tents and sleeping bags, resting up for 3 passes tomorrow -- setting ourselves up for a 10 or so mile hike to Tuolumne Meadows where my good friend and fellow ranger, Damon, will catch us for a Yosemite vacation.  We are so excited.  About laundry.  And showers.  And one of our nation's finest national parks.  Here's to groovin' all the way there.

Devil's Postpile National Monument.  Basaltic lava in hexagonal columns.  Nice!

Sunset over Agnew Meadow.