Trail Day 61: Tentsite (mile 889.2) to Mammoth Lakes via Mammoth Pass (mile 903.3)

14.1 PCT miles, plus 3.4 miles of the Horseshoe Lake Trail

Another morning, another day of putting on cold, wet boots. Today we were going to attempt to exit the trail and head to the town of Mammoth Lakes.  Usually,  you are able to exit the trail at Reds Meadow and get a shuttle to town. However, because of the large snowmelt, the road to Reds Meadow is washed out and the shuttle is not running. Instead we need to hike 3.4 miles on a side trail to take a shuttle into town.

We still had a lot of miles to go to get there. I was a little nervous because I am a slower hiker than everyone else and you never know what the Sierra will throw at you.

Today’s hike started out with a steep climb out of the valley we had camped in. The morning light was just filtering over the mountains. Then we went around a cold lake that still had snow surrounding its banks. In the morning light, there was a perfect reflection in the water.

Morning light in the mountains. 

Lake reflections.

The group gathered around the lake.

The trail wound up and down the mountain sides, passing lakes, meadows, and giving great views of the mountains on the opposite side of a deep valley. It was one of the prettier parts of the Sierra that I have walked. The best part about it was that it was dry. There were not many overflowing streams and I was finally able to dry out my boots.

Mountain lake.

View from the trail.

View from the trail. 

900 miles.

The group hiked fairly spread out, with everyone going at their own pace and meeting up for breaks. We hit the junction with the trail to Horseshoe Lake and went over Mammoth Pass. By the time we hit the parking lot it was almost 5 pm.

Passing a meadow.

Civilization.

There were some nice ladies there who shared their cherries with us and asked questions about life on the trail. A few minutes later the trolley came.  We got lucky because it was the last trolley of the day.

On the trolley.

The trolley dumped us off in Mammoth Lakes and we walked to Liberty Bar to get some food. As we ate, some of the other hikers came from a local hostel to join us.

Most of the hikers I was with were planning on camping. I, on the other hand was looking for a bed and a shower. It was about a week and a half since I had showered or done laundry. My shirt still had blood on it from the nosebleed on Mather Pass.

When we finished dinner, Pickles and Stranger Danger walked me to the hostel and walked me through self check in process.  I was able to get a bottom bunk in the women's dorm. Most importantly, I was able to get a shower. The laundry, unfortunately, would have to wait until tomorrow.