Day 2:  Lyell Fork Bridge to Island Pass  8 miles

I woke up on day 2 ready to hike. I knew my first big summit was ahead.  The hike up to Donahue Pass was beautiful. The trail was nice with lots of river crossings.  Crossing the rivers was made so much easier with poles.

 

Its hard to see in this picture from 1st glance but the trail crosses this river and if you look close you can see the rock path. Here are a few more of the crossing that day.

Soon I reached a small lake at the base of Mt. Lyell.  I wish I had taken different pictures because the view back down into the valley was amazing.  This was the best one I took.In these next picture the snow on Mt Lyell use to be a glacier but not much is left.

This was such a great spot for a break before reaching to top of Donahue Pass.  This climb was hard because it was through rough rocks and granite.  Luckily I could see people ahead of me and it helped me locate the trail a few times. Here is the top of Donahue Pass.  The elevation is 11,060.Today was Jacob’s birthday and there was cell reception at the top so I got to call and wish him a Happy Birthday.  I look so happy in this picture.  If I only knew what lied ahead.  The descent.  It was rough for the first few miles.  This is when I began feeling so much pain in my toes.  After a few miles descending I began the climb to a lower pass where I planned on spending the night.

Yesterday the friend I met from Arizona told me that at the top of Island Pass was a beautiful lake and a great place to stop.  I was exhausted and my feet were really hurting.  I hit what I thought was the top only to find a gross muddy pond.  I kept going and finally reached the lake or lakes. They were small but on both sides of the trail.  At first I couldn’t find a camping spot but at the far end of the pass I found the perfect one. 

Later that evening some smoke blew in.This was such a peaceful spot which I need because I was exhausted.

Day 3: Island Pass to Rosalie Lake 9.8 miles

I woke up thinking maybe I needed to cut my toenails shorter and that would help with the pain.  I wasn’t sure if the downhill had caused my toes to bump into my shoe.  I had been hiking in these boots for months and never had a problem so I couldn’t understand why they were hurting so badly.  As I went to clip my big toenail back, puss began shooting out.  Sorry to gross anyone out but it was so gross and extremely painful.  I quickly put pressure on it and wrap it with a band-aid and tape. I knew better than to do the same with my other big toe so I barely clipped it and let the puss gentle drain out.  Needless to say, day 3 started off badly.  I was apprehensive and not excited to start hiking. After hiking for about a quarter of a mile I came around a corner to see the most stunning lake of my whole trip.  This made the pain of my feet almost disappear.This is Thousand Island Lake.  I took so many pictures but I will share a few.  One day I want to return and spend a day here.

The rest of this day I called the day of lakes.  I passed so many.  I hiked off and on this day with my friends from Arizona.

Here is where I had lunch.  I can’t remember the name of this lake.

Here is a picture of the group from Arizona taking a lunch break.Here is a look of the rocky trails that I was constantly climbing and other views from the trail. The hiker is Bob from the Arizona group.  If I remember correctly he is 65.  I hope I’m still backpacking at 65.

I know the start of the day was bad but this may have been my favorite day on the trail.  It was still hard but the whole day was filled with such views and beauty it seemed easier.  Finally arrived at Rosalie Lake.  The group from Arizona decided to continue hiking but I couldn’t leave once I was at the camping spot.  It was perfect.

A bit of smoke had settled on the lake but I felt it added to the beauty.I probably spent and hour just sitting here taking it all in while soaking my feet.

Day 4: Rosalie Lake to Reds Meadow 8.7 miles

I got up and going early this morning.  The thought of making it to my first resupply spot was exciting and Jeff had reserved a room for me so I was also going to get to shower and sleep in a bed.  That was a great motivation.  The morning started with a fairly easy climb and the trail was nice and sloping.  Here is a lake I passed early in the morning.

The trail was nice and easy for the first 5 miles. I descended 2000 ft.

My feet began to hurt but I just wanted to be done so I kept on hiking and didn’t stopped enjoying the scenery or tend to my feet.  I felt like the trail would never end.  I decided to take a short detour off the JMT so I could see the National Monument, The Devils Postpile.

At this point every step was painful.  I continued to follow the signs and my gps and ended up at a road.  I wasn’t exactly sure where I was but I sat on a rock and was able to call Jeff.  It was so great to talk to him.  After I got off the phone with Jeff I realized Reds Meadow was just 200 yds. away.

I finally arrived and was able to shower, wash my clothes, pick up my resupply, eat a BLT at the diner. I relaxed on my bed while I got to talk to all of my kids. It was the best!  I did some surgery on my toes.  Letting the puss drain out released the pressure and pain.  I did some internet searching and found out that I was probably carrying too much weight and that was the cause of the toe problems.  Along with the puss I had developed several blisters.

I wish I would have taken pictures of the little hut I stayed in and the rest of the place but I was too tired.  My friends from Arizona decided to call it quits.  Everyone that is except for Donna.  She was going to continue on alone.  The next five days we hiked together off and on.  Her support and encouragement was such a blessing for me.