JMT | DAY 4 ROSALIE LAKE TO RED'S MEADOW
Miles Hiked: 8.4 miles (mm 50.7-59.2)
Elevation: 663 ft ascent | 2,319 ft descent
Nero | “Short for ‘nearly zero,’ or a partial day off (very few miles walked) during a long-distance hike” -The Trek
Okay, so today isn’t a true nero day. It felt like one though. This was a section that was easy to pass through quickly, as there isn’t much to see aside from downed trees. Last year I practically ran through it because of the mosquitos. This year, no mosquitos.
I decided to take one of the off trails (blue trails on Guthook) through Devil’s Postpile, instead of the JMT that stays above and wraps around a ridge. Last year it was exposed, dry, and hot. So why not see something different? Day tourists with bad trail manners aside, the route I took was much more enjoyable, shaded, and gradual. It took me to the campground and then I took the trail that connects to the main area of Red’s.
I arrived just as breakfast service was ending. I decided to shower, do laundry, and collect my resupply while I waited for lunch service.
…and got a nice cold Diet Coke of course, and the best peach.
More hikers started to arrive as the day progressed on. We talked about what we had seen, places we camped or planned to, and what our hikes were looking like (some fast, some slower). Red’s is the first go-to place for resupply and a gathering spot where you meet other hikers:
Edwin, Tessa, Jeff, Cameron (Sierra High Route), Jo-Ann, Nick and Sean, as well as Becca, Corrine, Nick, and Galen from Rosalie. Many others, of course.
Tom rented the last hiker cabin available and offered me one of the three beds. Of course. The nice thing about being in a cabin: a floor to sort resupply, electrical outlets (to yourself!), and no dealing with the bears that hang out at the campgrounds at night.
From what I heard the next morning, one hiker spent the night in the shower room due to a bear outside. Another hiker had left part of their resupply bucket at the picnic tables, which led to a bear obtaining food.