PCT SECTION HIKE | DAY 7 Glen Aulin to Tuolumne Meadows
Miles Hiked: 6.2 miles
Elevation: 1021 ft ascent | 223 ft descent
Town day!
The trail followed along the river and multiple waterfalls, switching between granite steps, solid granite slabs, and sand/dirt. Gradual uphill all day today. The first mile or two having the biggest ascent.
I woke up without an appetite. I rarely do in the morning when backpacking, but I just felt…sick to my stomach. That hungry feeling that tells you you need to eat, but you try and just can’t keep it down. I ended up sucking on tums to make it the six or so miles to the wilderness office. I wasn’t thrilled about having to walk the extra distance this year (last year permits were online).
All I wanted was real food! Nevertheless, it was an easy day of hiking. Storms were expected in the afternoon and the skies were growing increasingly cloudy. Permit now taken care of, I gave the ranger information on the bear I saw at Stubblefield and let them know I was not the first to see it. Young, golden, curious.
I walked to the backpacker’s campground in order to set up my tent before the rain started and the campground got too full. I set up camp, emptied my pack, and took my trash and bear can in my pack down to the grill/store. I met another hiker at camp, Shannon, who started at Happy Isles and was headed in the same direction. She has a similar plan, with a few more days added on before Whitney (she ended up summiting Whitney a few days before me). Burger, potato wedges, soft-serve ice cream, and a soda. I’m getting hungry just writing this and can’t wait for another burger at Red’s Meadow. I found a spot at a picnic table that I thought had pretty good coverage from the rain (it did). Lunch was delicious.
I grabbed a few things from the store—blister care, sewing kit, more bug repellent (trying the wipes this time), new sunglasses, and some snacks. I also picked up my resupply. Out at the picnic table, myself and two other hikers filled our bear cans while having a few drinks and making conversation. My two battery packs got charged inside the store, and the solar panel thrown in the trash after it broke when I tried to use it the other day.
Eventually, I moved to the front of the store for a little better cover from the rain. I spent the next couple of hours talking to other hikers while waiting for my electronics to charge and for it to get closer to 1700 so I could order dinner (grill closed at 5). Another burger, with bacon this time. Back to the tent by 1900. Time for chores. I bought shower wipes at the store—while not as good as a shower, it sure felt good to clean up after 7 days. Shorts got sewn (I’ll likely buy a new pair in Mammoth). Blisters drained and left to dry.
It’s now after 2100 and the campground is still very much alive with many people talking. I don’t expect to get much sleep until a little later. For now, I think about burgers and fries. Yum. Two was not enough—I’m hungry again! Tomorrow I start the JMT section of my trip. I plan to follow a fairly similar schedule as last year, with a few changes.