Day #16 Trail Philosophy

High Sierra Trail Part 5/8 – from Kern Hot Spring to Junction Meadow (7.7 Miles)

I left camp in record time this morning, thus making a good start before sunrise. Lots of river crossings demanded all my attention, my shoes got wet and I had to climb over fallen trees again, but otherwise I made good progress and the trail was not too demanding. One of my calves was almost cramping, so I remembered to drink magnesium every day. The canyon walls rose up on both sides until I arrived early at Junction Meadow, my campspot next to Kern River.

The brothers, the couple and the family I met already earlier came after me and we talked about miles and goals. Then we all dried our shoes at a campfire – it will be the last one before the trail ascends again, going above 8000 feet where campfires are prohibited.

I begin to feel the difference between dayhiking and thru hiking. Both give you the chance to explore nature and its beauty. But with thru hiking, it‘s much more of an overall experience with all the highs and lows. There are boring bits and the daily routine can start to feel annoying, indulging every little part of the trail might become impossible – after all you have to make miles every day to reach the end goal and sometimes that means swift walking without stopping to gaze at every flower or squirrel you see.

But going after a set goal and reaching it with all means is as valuable as strolling around on a 3 hour easy loop trail which ends in the parking lot at a restaurant. Speaking of restaurants!

I start to feel hungry even when I just ate. I need more food but everything is rationed and the earliest I get to town is Saturday afternoon. I‘m so looking forward to a burger, beer and something fresh like a salad.

I‘m going to bed early today (listening to „Never Ending Story“ by Michael Ende) – tomorrow is a big day, I‘ll try to make it to Guitar Lake, if not then Crabtree Meadow. Three more days on the High Sierra Trail!