08/31/09
California Part 7
Day 9 – Sometimes this trip is akin to a 5 star luxury vacation. After a tiring day, we found ourselves sitting in front of a stream being fed by a nearby waterfall enjoying red wine, smoked clam and oysters, crackers and olives. Between the spread and the views we felt like we were in the lap of luxury. That was followed by a dinner of cheese and spinach tortellini with German Chocolate Cake. I encouraged Cathy to write a book on eating in the wilderness. Between the recipes, preparation, and storage, I wouldn’t even know where to start.
Today was a really gorgeous day, but it was quite tiring and cold. We climbed from our campsite this morning at 10,200 feet to Donahue pass at 11,056 feet. It marked our exit from Yosemite and our entrance into the Ansel Adams Wilderness. That doesn’t mean the scenery took a dip, as it might have even gotten better. It was a cloudy day so it stayed cool, especially at the pass. It warmed up slightly as we wound our way down about 800 feet for lunch. The mile descent really took a toll on my feet. It was constant pounding down rocky steps, and I couldn’t wait to take my shoes off at camp.
Lunch was light. It was peanut butter, dried apples, and raisins wrapped in a tortilla. I joked with everyone about the difference between Mexican Food in CA and TX. I said we would never have a peanut butter, raisin, and apple burrito in TX. The mountain vistas on the way to camp continued to amaze me. Though it took a lot of searching with Cathy not having been to the spot in three years, we finally found camp in a little valley surrounded by towering peaks.
Not long after arriving at camp, the packer showed up. It was a local girl named Shelly on her horse leading two mules. Each mule had about 75 lbs. of stuff. It takes a lot to feed 14 people apparently. Personally I was quite excited to have a chance to refill my snack pack. That is basically what I get to eat on the trail between meals. I ran out of snacks at the pass today, so I was due. The Dove dark chocolate pieces were heavenly.
As I look out my front porch, I have a stream with a waterfall flowing through a meadow backed by towering snow-capped peaks. Not too bad if I say so myself. I don’t know if the wine or the hiking made me tired, but I’m ready for bed. Tomorrow is a big day as we are doing a 14-mile cross-country hike. We don’t have to carry all of the stuff though because it is a layover day. Given the extent of the hike, I’m sure I’ll be ready to return to my tent tomorrow night. 7am comes early, but I don’t mind waking up for pancakes.
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