Day 15 - Lost Lakes to Carson Pass...

Today the ladies headed back to civilization for Labor Day Weekend. They left the Lost Lakes area and headed 7 miles north to Carson Pass along Hwy 88. Unfortunately, Mother Nature unloaded on them and it started pouring down rain which continued most of the day...


The clouds started to build early...


Here comes the rain...


Janet models the latest in ponchos...


The trailhead at Carson Pass...


Great Weather at Carson Pass...

After arriving at the trailhead, we all headed down to Sorensen's Resort in nearby Hope Valley for a weekend of rest and relaxation.

Bill

Day 14 - Pleasant Valley Creek to Lost Lakes...

Today, the gals left Pleasant Valley Creek and headed for the Lost Lakes area, some 9.1 miles north. Today provided some pretty scenery and touches of civilization as they crossed popular Blue Lakes Road.


Anyone got a beer?


Great clouds...


Interesting scenery...


Janet takes a quick nap, lakeside...


Sophie sacks out in camp...


Again, they are treated to a beautiful sunset...

Bill

Day 13 - Upper Kinney Lake to Pleasant Valley Creek...

This morning the gals left Upper Kinney Lake and headed towards Pleasant Valley Creek, some 10.7 miles distant. The day's terrain was again, quite dry and as the ladies said, "un-inspiring". Their general impression of the route from Sonora Pass to Ebbetts Pass was that it was generally boring.


PCT Northbound...


The clouds are building again...


The long dusty trail winds downhill...

Although the region was getting hit hard by thunderstorms, the ladies stayed dry on this afternoon. They hit camp early and turned in for the day.

Bill

Day 12 - Asa Lake to Kinney Lakes...

Today the ladies left Asa Lake and and headed towards Kinney Lakes near Ebbetts Pass, along Highway 4. Today was a shorter day than expected due to the extra miles packed on yesterday.


Major UFH!


Entering the Carson Iceberg Wilderness area...


This country was still pretty dry..


Close Encounters of the Cow Kind...


An American Flag on a peak in the middle of nowhere...

As you can see in the photo above, the clouds moved in and Mother Nature gave the ladies some rain. This ended up going on for several days...

Finally, they reached their destination for the evening - Upper Kinney Lake, north of Ebbetts Pass.


Interesting formations along the lake shore...


The ladies were treated to a beautiful light show and rainbow display!

Bill

Day 11 - East Carson River to Asa Lake...

Today the ladies awoke early and after a quick breakfast, headed north towards their intended destination for the day, Wolf Creek.


Janet and Sophie wait for the coffee to get warm...


Beautiful views this morning...


They found a few friendly cows along the way...

As the day wore on, the ladies came to their destination, Wolf Creek. Unfortunately, there was no water so they trudged on hoping to find more suitable accommodations for the evening. The minutes turned into hours and the miles continued to rack up. Also, the clouds moved in and they thought they might get wet but Mother Nature saved the rain for another day.


Lot's of afternoon buildups but luckily, no rain!

Finally, as the afternoon turned into evening, the ladies finally found a nice campsite next to Asa Lake, some 16.5 miles from their start this morning...


Their campsite for the night...

Bill

PS: For anyone camping near Asa Lake, please keep an eye out for Nana's wedding ring. She lost it here the next morning after washing her hands :-( - Uppdate 9/26 FOUND!

Day 10 - Sonora Pass to East Carson River Trail...

Today the ladies ventured back to the high country, heading north from Sonora Pass. Their destination was the East Carson River Trail, some 9.3 miles distant. This morning's route is dry and volcanic in nature for the first several miles until they get north of Wolf Creek Lake. They are being joined by another well traveled lady - Sophie the Golden Retriever.



Sophie is a veteran of many hikes and is also an expert back-country skier-chaser!


She even carries her own food!


They even found some wildflowers to enjoy...


Janet and Sophie enjoy the moonscape north of Sonora Pass...


Janet models the latest in dog bowl hats!

After a long day, the ladies found a nice, peaceful spot in the trees and settled in for the night.

Bill

Day 9 - Layover Day - Bridgeport...

Today the ladies are relaxing in Bridgeport enjoying some down time...


Burgers, Burritos, Ice Cream and Massage? That's what I call full service!


Nice Hats Ladies!


Potato Chip Party...

We headed up to the Ghost town of Bodie to do some exploring.


The Mud Tribe, 2007!

and now it's on to the Laundromat!

Bill

Day 8 - Walker Meadows to Leavitt Lake...

Today the ladies headed back to civilization for some R&R. They took a detour that put them out on the fire road near Leavitt Lake by early afternoon. This cut several miles off their original scheduled 14+ mile day.


Heading into some drier country...


Thinking about skiing already...


They could almost taste the beer by now...


Leavitt Lake - where we would be meeting them!


Reunion time! Even Sheryl from Colorado has joined the party for the weekend...

After meeting up with the ladies, we all headed down into Bridgeport and checked into our motel. Showers, cocktails and some relaxation were on tap for the afternoon!

Bill

Day 7 - Dorothy Lake to Walker Meadows...

Today the ladies awoke to a beautiful, clear morning. They headed up out of the Dorothy Lake area, over Dorothy Lake Pass and then north to Walker Meadows, on the west fork of the Walker River, a distance of around 7 miles.


Gorgeous dawn over Dorothy Lake...


Their camp...


Today they left Yosemite National Park...


Beautiful peaks...


One of many lakes along the way...

Bill

Day 6 - Wilmer Lake to Dorothy Lake...

Today, the ladies left Wilmer Lake and headed north 9 miles to Dorothy Lake. The trail was fairly level, going up a long valley through lots of meadows with a stream parallel to the trail.


Nana crosses a small bridge...


Well beaten path...


Janet, with full pack, negotiates "The Limbo Tree"...


Nana actually got in the creek for this one...


Beautiful alpenglow at Dorothy Lake...

Bill

Day 5 - Seavey Pass to Wilmer Lake...

Today was a long one for the ladies of the Mud Tribe - 11.8 miles. This morning they left Seavey Pass and headed west through a long canyon before climbing up and over a ridge, dropping back down and then climbing steeply towards their destination for the day, Wilmer Lake.


Many stairs in the climb...

Along the way, they encountered their first real water crossing where they had to get wet.


Almost waist deep...


Great views along the way!


Wilmer Lake...

Bill