Day 9 Somewhere along Bear Creek to Somewhere in a marshy area before Senger Creek. 9 miles (keeping it consistent)

This morning was cold, making it hard to get out of my sleeping bag. For some reason I had it in my head that today was not going to be that hard.  The climb to Seldon Pass on the map looked gradual.  Well, I was wrong.  It was beautiful hiking through some meadows and then climbing but I kept feeling like I was about to summit and then it kept going.

The scenery of course was amazing but I was just feeling a little depleted.  I decided to stop for lunch at Marie Lake.

The view was unbelievable.  It was a Sunday and I texted Jeff I was having my own religious experience at this spot.  I took off my shoes, soaked my feet, enjoyed the sun and just took it all in.

It was so peaceful!  Donna eventually joined me.  I started looking around and realized it was a bowl of sorts and the only way out was up.  The climb up over Seldon Pass was so beautiful I didn’t even really realize I was climbing.  I kept stopping to take pictures.

A memorable story here was as I started hiking down and man came running up the trail without a pack.  I asked if all was OK?  He said he had left his phone at Lake Marie and had to go find it.  The thought of going back up and over the pass twice exhausted me.  I felt so bad for him.  The trail continued down to Sallie Keyes Lake.

I was planning on spending the night here but it was early and I knew there was suppose to be a 2500 ft descent, which kills my feet.  Donna and I decided to continue on.  The scenery changed drastically and all of a sudden no water was to be found.  We kept hiking.  We finally found a marshy meadow with some small streams of water.  Trying to filter the water from this was tricky and somewhat entertaining.  We set up camp and had a man and his aunt join us.  We tried to figure out exactly where we were and figured it was only 3.5 miles to Muir Trail.  Jeff has rented a cabin for me there.  I was so excited to get there.  The only drag was I found out that I wouldn’t be able to call home.  The word was cell reception was not available.

 

Day 10 Arriving and staying at Muir Trail Ranch

This morning I hike into Muir Trail Ranch.  It was a steep hike down.  It made me think how happy I was to be climbing down and not up that way.  The hike ended up being more like 4 miles.  Upon arriving I went and picked up my resupply bucket and check in.  This is a very remote place and even though there are cabins and bathrooms you can only get here by hiking or horseback.  As I checked in they gave me an email Paige had sent me.  I started to tear up.  I miss my family so much!!!!

I had to sort through all of my supplies that I had sent to myself.  This is a popular and one of the few resupply places in the area.  Everyone sorts their stuff and leaves it behind for others.  Things that you are tired of eating or don’t want anymore you just exchange or take.  It was fun sitting around with the other hikers swapping stories and food.  I began to realize that there was no way I was going to be able to pack out all of the food needed for the rest of my trip.  It wouldn’t fit in my bear bin and it would have been too heavy.  I texted Jeff and started working on how I could get resupplied.

At the ranch I was able to wash my clothes with an old fashion spinner and then a wringer.  The water was so gross and brown.  I had to spin them several times.  After wringing them out, I hung them on the line to dry.  All the hikers had there stuff hanging out. It was so funny to see all the different items hanging in the open field.  I wish I would have taken pictures. There were also natural hot springs you could soak yourself in.  It was so relaxing and refreshing.  It was like a dream.

Donna was leaving at this point.  Kate and Gina, her friends that left after Reds Meadows, hiked in since the original plan was to all hike to Muir Trail Ranch.   They hiked in and  planned on hiking out the next day to go home.  I went through my pack and found anything unnecessary and unloaded as much weight as possible.  I have really began to appreciate just the slightest amount of extra weight.  They hiked out my extra supplies and mailed them home to me.  I was so grateful to have met them and really appreciated the support and friendship over the last 10 days.  I will miss them.

Along with the cabin, washing station, supplies, and hot springs, you are provided a dinner and lunch the next day.  Tonight they served sirloin steak.  It was amazing.  Also the salad and fruit.  Things that I have missed so much.  Everyone sat together family style sharing stories.  I have met so many remarkable people on this trip!

The downside of this day was not being able to talk to my family. I had planned on being able to and was disappointed when I couldn’t.  I am so happy I have my Garmin and can text but being able to talk with them would have made it that much better of a day.  In my journal I wrote, “It has been an experience to do this alone, but the greater joy would have been to have my family with me”.  It will be hard to leave tomorrow but it puts me that much closer to my family.