July 13, 2010
After a fantastic stay in Jackson we returned to the trail with full stomachs and two hiking companions. Our food bag also included a special treat from our great friend and mentor Josh Cazadd. Josh came over on Thursday afternoon with a delicious tri-tip that we grilled up and added to the feast that my dad prepared and some marinated jerky from Swingles Meat Shop, a local Amador County favorite.
My dad hadn’t been backpacking in 10 years or longer and it was a first for my sister. We began hiking along the shores of Echo Lake, where we soon were picked up by our prearranged water taxi. We enjoyed the company of previous outdoor education students from Nevada City School of the Arts. They even gave us a lunch and a concert!
Our hike took us by Lake of the Woods and onto Lake Ahloha where we spent the afternoon lounging and swimming. Following dinner we watched the sunset before settling into our tents for a hysterical outburst. My dad and my sister had a little trouble finding their way into their sleeping positions and my dad claimed his head was “being used as a pin cushion for the mosquitos” through the mesh screen. As the laughter subsided we rested our heads and awoke to more humor as my dad had spent the night shivering in his fleece zip-up blanket. His first words were that he had “a whole new respect for what we are doing out here.” My sister groaned about her nights sleep but after packing they joined us to walk along the lakeside to catch a view down the valley over Lake Heather. Upon seeing the views my sister stated,” so this is why you guys do this.”
At the time I didn’t really have a response but after hiking on it for a while I think we both can agree that there really isn’t a definitive answer as to why we hike, it is just a feeling, a sense of freedom, accomplishment, the challenge, and perhaps most of all because we can.
After saying goodbye we enjoyed great views of the Lake Tahoe Basin from atop the ridge line. In addition to the scenery the wildflowers were stunning and we met several hikers along the way. It was fun swapping stories and reuniting like students returning to school after summer break. We were most looking forward to our friends Psycho and Apricots who we hiked part of the southern Sierra and who were engaged atop Forester Pass. I have been meaning to share their website http://northboundheartsong.blogspot.com/ as they hike to raise money for Cherryville Heartsongs. Sure enough we crossed paths this morning in the final miles to Donner Pass. Psycho has taken trail notes and we are hoping we don’t encounter the hundreds of down trees on the trail.
We also encountered two women who were on a day hike, Nancy and Susie. After getting a ride into Truckee (thank you Triple H) and mowing down serious amounts of sushi at the all you can eat buffett (I had 7 rolls) we happened to bump into the ladies at the coffee shop and Susie offered and gave us a ride to catch up with our friend Turtle who works in Tahoe City. After a quick refreshing dip in Lake Tahoe we got a ride to her house where we got a proper shower and went with Pete ( Turtle’s boyfriend) to Squaw Creek Resturant where she works.
We were treated to a tasty meal where Melissa and I ate BBQ ribs and sweet potatoe fries and topped it off with a mudd pie ice-cream cake. Our stay in Lake Tahoe area has been filling and relaxing as we share stories and laughs.
Tomorrow we return to the trail and look forward to smaller trail towns and longer milage days as we hope to catch up with more family in Northern California.
Another notable highlight included a coyote sighting while chatting with Colter, who was kind enough to loan us his bear canister and ice axe as he flipped norh to Ashland. We had the pleasure of watching the coyote descend a ridge as it made its way across a snowy patch to the melting water on the other side. This moment was truely magical and touching watching wildlife in their natural habitat.
Looking forward to Cousin Stacys baked goodies in Sierra City.
~Justin
During the last few days, Melissa and Justin reached Dick’s Pass (another 9,000 summit) in Desolation Wilderness on the west mountain range of Lake Tahoe. Desolation Wilderness earned its name because it was carved out by glaciers and there are very little trees – hence it looks “desolate.” Dick’s Pass was a notable location because last year it was during a hike on this very terrain where Melissa and Justin met a thru-hiker and decided to take the challenge and walk the PCT in 2010.
~Mom
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