JMT | DAY 17 BASE OF FORESTER PASS TO TYNDALL CREEK
Miles Hiked: 8.6 miles (mm 186.3-194.8)
Elevation: 2,057 ft ascent | 2,251 ft descent
Today was the first shorter day for me in a while due to resupplying out of Independence. I knew Forester was going to be tough based on elevation alone, but we had done tough passes before. The climb itself was not bad. Most of the switchbacks were rather gradual, slowly bringing you closed the pass. I think the combination of the past couple of days and mental exhaustion from the day before had just set in. Mornings and uphills are always slow for me, but this morning I was just tired. My legs didn't want to move, they felt heavy and weak.
It was almost nice to move at a slower pace though, as almost everyone from our campsite was at the pass around the same time. If you have ever seen Forester Pass, it isn't exactly the best place for 20 people to hang out. As I approached the last few switchbacks, I took little breaks in hopes that the pass would clear a little more. Apologies to those a barked at—I was hangry and tired. The last thing I wanted was people watching me reach the summit and the talking. Oops.
Eventually, it did and I was able to spend a few minutes relaxing and taking pictures before decending down the south side. Past the avalanche chute, free of snow at the time, down the steep rocky switchbacks. Eventually the trail flattened out across the valley below, descending gradually as I made my way towards Tyndall Creek.
Jeff, Tessa, and I planned to meet at the Tyndall Creek campsite approximately 8.5 miles from out last camp. It was a shorter day, with more miles the next, but a nice way to relax and have a more privacy before Guitar Lake and Trail Camp. We considered going more miles, but either way, most of the people from camp the night before would be at Guitar Lake the next day.
I ended up passing Jeff and Tessa around 12:30, about a miles from where we planned to camp. We talked over our options, then I went ahead to check out the campsites. I was unable to find the bear box mentioned on Guthook, but found multiple site off both sides of the trail. A little further back, there was a lake and more private sites. A few people set up camp on the other side of the trail, but we were completely secluded. A last night of privacy. We took a dip in the lake before the sun went behind the clouds, threatening us with rain. Laundry, snacks, water collection. We relaxed and talked at a perfect spot away from our tents, with large rocks for me to sit on while Jeff and Tessa sat in their Helinox chairs (I really need to get one of these). It was one of the first afternoons in what felt like a while (after a week of rain) that we were able to just enjoy. We made dinner at 5:30, had tea and cider, and got ready for bed by 7:30.
Tomorrow, Guitar Lake. I plan to sunrise summit, whereas Jeff and Tessa plan to hike up at their normal time. The next night will be at either Trail Camp or Outpost Camp, depending on how the weather looks.
