Day #32 A New Trail Begins!

John Muir Trail Part 1/11 – From Lake George to Barney Lake (4 Miles)

Despite the anticipation for the trail, getting up was hard! A blue bird and squirrels hopped around my tent so I gave myself a push. While I was slowly organizing my stuff and sipping disgusting instant coffee (another lesson learned…), a familiar voice called out to me: „Finn?“

It was Ed! He rode his Harley all the way up to wish me farewell – it was incredibly sweet! We had a small chat and by 9.15am I finally started the trail towards Duck Pass, only to be stopped by a short fall of rain.

Today, 5th September, is the first day that feels like autumn. Strong wind kept blowing and pushing grey clouds over the sky, leaves and needles kept falling and landing on the dark surfaces of the lakes I passed while hiking through the forest. There‘s a melancholic feeling to it.

The backpack has reached its‘ maximum capacity and the seams look like they are bursting any moments. On the way up, I joked about it with lots of other friendly hikers who had the tiniest daypacks. When I reached my destination, Barney Lake, I helped an 80 year old hiker called „Tinman“ (he has titanium knee replacements) balancing over a small creek and took over his small, light backpack.

He continued hiking up, convinced that the rain was gone but I was skeptical and put up camp at the lake, situated right before Duck Pass. Not that my feet would have made it another meter or foot or whatever. As I was trying to figure out how to turn my tent to protect it from the strong wind gusts, the weather gods kept mixing sun with light drizzling rain. I was glad that I stopped at the lake. Half an hour later, while I was filtering water and hiding my food, heavy rain fell down and I crept in my tent, ate olives and drank the last bit of red wine. I‘m enjoying moments of stillness and sensual reduction. The unfiltered wilderness makes me aware of every moment, whether it‘s good or bad, enjoyable or exhausting.

Another challenge was hanging my food – I‘m not entirely convinced by the result but also I don‘t know how to do it better. I kinda just hope that the rain forces the bears to rest in their caves (or wherever they sleep 😉