John Muir Trail Part 6/11 – From Donohue Pass to Lyell Canyon Meadow (… Miles)
Waking up with warm sunlight was much better than with the alarm clock in the darkness. I slept very well unlike the others who were unfortunately too cold – the weather change is unexpected but I‘m getting used to the dropping temperatures.
We all took it slow this morning – Savannah gave me something to improve my coffee and I could pack without a hurry. Soon I said goodbye to the others and started hiking.
When walking uphill towards Donohue Pass (around 11000 feet) I struggled with the thinning air, but I also noticed that I felt fitter, stronger. My body is adapting. My feet hurt less. If I can manage to get down my base weight, I could be even faster. Of course, I‘m already making plans for the next years, I want to hike the entire JMT and parts of the PCT. I don‘t know if I could do the full PCT. But I‘d like to try at least!
It left me speechless.
Shortly after the pass, the landscape changed into a giant impressionist painting – Lyell Canyon – a valley full of granite slabs with waterfalls forming creeks meandering through lush meadows, snow-capped ragged peaks and round boulders, evergreens and bristle cones. I‘m probably repeating myself at this point, but it just doesn‘t stop being amazing: Mountains, meadows, beautiful granite, tears of joy.
just gasping for air.
Getting down from Donohue Pass was hard, my knees don‘t like long descents on granite steps. I‘m always afraid of tripping or twisting my ankle.
Everything went fine though and after chatting with several hikers and taking lots of snack and water breaks, I arrived at the bottom of Lyell Canyon. It looked like from a fairytale. I‘m officially in Yosemite National Park – and it feels magical! Five more days and I‘m in the Valley…
My campsite is less crowded today – I made a fire but so far I‘m the only one enjoying it – Cathy hasn‘t showed up yet – she is probably camping somewhere else. I improved my chicken ramen with chili and peanut butter – a good meal that „feeds the engine“ as Cathy put it. As I‘m sitting here, warmed by the flames, I‘m thinking about improving my hiking experience.
Checklist for next time: an ultra-light inflatable pillow, a small pocket mirror (I don‘t want to look like a zombie and my contact lenses cause a lot of problems with all the dirt…), a tiny gas stove system (Jeff showed me his and it fit into his closed hand without the fuel cartridge!).
just using natural tinder, I was able light it on first attempt!
Finn Goes West - Hiking & Climbing in the South-Western USA 