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The approach to Pinchot from the south
is relatively easy. In fact, Pinchot is one of the more forgiving passes
on the JMT. We got an early start and started north. The one important
observation we made on the way up was that, though the trail wasn't too
steep, last night's energy-poor freeze dried meal left us with little
in the way of pass-bagging energy. Corn pasta, folks. That's the way to
go.
For some reason, I didn't record anything
in my journal on this day. In the journal entry for August 9, I surmised,
"It was cold, for one thing. In fact the morning found frost and
ice on my backpack. Maybe I was too jazzed to have found yet another great
campsite. Or maybe I was just plain tired from braving Pinchot."
But I did write reflect a little, so my journal writings here are culled
from tomorrow's entry.
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Morning at the campsite
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before Pinchot Pass
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admiring the reds and greens
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| 7:15 PM- We made
it to within 2-3 miles of Mather Pass- high up in the Upper Basin. We started
out at 7:30 this morning and saw no other hikers going our way. The trail
was good, much of it flat, contouring around the mountain. I topped Pinchot
Pass at 9:30. We talked with another couple till 10:00, then went down to
Lake Marjorie for a foot soak and sock change. |
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Victory!
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Will on Pinchot
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Lake Marjorie
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| We descended from
the summit of Pinchot, where we met a friendly couple on their way to Onion
Valley (over Kearsarge Pass) from Florence Lake. We chatted for some time
and then we went our separate ways. Our path took us down past Marjorie
Lake into some of the finest alpine wonderlands we've seen yet. Past the
Bench Lake trail and the Taboose Pass trail (and the talkative couple who
were headed out that way) down to the South Fork of King's River. There,
I came up with one of the best ideas I've had yet: ULTRA PEANUT BUTTER.
Crunchy Jif, Soybean butter, honey and M&M's a fantastic addition to any
plain ol' tortilla, dontcha know. The climb toward Mather Pass through Upper
Basin was warm and gentle. There, I think I had a perfect Sierra Moment.
Open meadow, a nearby river, dense purple lupine, brilliant blue sky, a
cooling breeze.and then the final touch: two butterflies floating by in
the breeze. The kind you hear about in cheese-ball sentimental poems and
saccharine greeting cards. |
| Then down through
the trees to 2 river crossings (So. Fork Kings River), then up the basin,
a gradual climb. I wish I had a camera good enough to take pictures of the
flowers. They were spectacular. We found a campsite opposite Cardinal Mt.
with a few trees and magnificent views to the South by 3:30. It was a beautiful
day, so we relaxed and washed up by the river. |
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camped near the "infant" South Fork, 3 miles shy of the crest of Mather
Pass. The water coursing through that open bowl was so temperate, I was
able to climb in and bathe. Stretched out on a warm, sunny rock, my clothes
drying on the rocks around me, I would have been hard-pressed to imagine
that hours later it would be below freezing. |
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Relaxing creekside
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The view from camp
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We like to hide from the trail
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wind is picking up now. It will be a chilly night, I think. Dinner of corn
pasta with dehydrated zucchini and tomatoes, garlic, cheese, dry pesto sauce
and cheesecake. Big day tomorrow. Another pass and lots of downhill. Ouch. |
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