JMT | DAY 2 DONOHUE PASS TO THOUSAND ISLAND LAKE
Miles Hiked: 8.9 miles (mm 34.4-43.2)
Elevation: 1,604 ft ascent | 1,936 ft descent
It was a windy morning. The kind that makes you want to stay in your tent until the sun hits it. I didn’t have the greatest sleep. No real reason other than altitude. I started to get ready around 0700 and finally made my way to the trail a little after 0830. I had 1.7 miles until Donohue Pass. The second-day aches and pains were setting in. That and the altitude and lack of training. I finally made it to the pass around 1100.
From there, it was downhill until Island Pass. The last climb until Thousand Island Lake. Partway down, I hiked with another solo hiker, Tom, until Rush Creek where he planned to stop for the day. I ate lunch and filtered water at Davis Creek and was soon joined by the group I met the day before. Their plans were to continue on past Thousand Island to Ruby or Garnet, in order to make it to Red’s Meadow the next day.
After nearly running out of water going up Island Pass, I finally made it to the turnoff for camp by 1500. Last year I had arrived 2.5 hours later and had trouble finding a decent camping spot. This year, while still busy by the end of the evening, I had plenty of options. I ended up choosing a spot that was partially shaded by trees and boulders. It was up against a large granite slab that I was able to climb up for a view. I spent most of the afternoon and evening there—taking in the sun and views, eating dinner, and photographing sunset (which ended up being a flop). The best part: mosquitoes have been nonexistent this year.
2030 | Someone screams and then yells: “Stop. Get off me. Somebody. Please get off of me.” Then another scream. It echoes across the lake as if she was standing next to you. Then nothing. Someone nearby me yells, “Are you okay? Do you need help?” Nothing. I later learned that it was a ‘marital dispute.’
