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

Day 4 - Smedberg Lake to Seavey Pass...

Today, the ladies left Smedberg Lake and headed up Seavey Pass, a distance of 7.7 miles. Along the way, they stopped to have lunch and relax at Benson Lake which has a beautiful, sandy beach. You might remember their stop here last year - in the pouring rain!

Benson Lake - 2006...

This year, the weather was perfect and they enjoyed a long rest stop here where they relaxed, sunbathed and went swimming!


The "Benson Rivera"...

Along the way, they encounterd a small bear cub cruising along near the trail. They kept a watchful eye out for mamma bear just in case she was nearby...


Blonde bear cub...

After their extended lunch break, they continued up to Seavey Pass where they camped at a small tarn near the top.


Peaceful evening...

Bill

Day 3 - Miller Lake to Smedberg Lake...

Today the ladies continued northwest from Miller lake to Smedberg Lake, 8.6 miles distant.


Matterhorn Ridge in the distance...

They found that trail conditions are quite dry this year. Water crossings that they struggled with last year were dry or generally easy to cross this year. The gals mentioned that they had not taken their boots off a single time so far - a BIG difference from "The Long Walk I".


Here comes Janet up the trail...


Wonderful evening at Smedberg lake...

Bill

Day 2 - Cold Creek Canyon to Miller Lake...

The ladies awoke to a chilly morning before heading north to Miller Lake, some 9 miles distant.


Frosty Morning - temps around 28 degrees F...

It warmed up and was a beautiful day however...


Great view!

Along the way, they passed the rock overhang they camped under in the pouring rain last year.


Looked different in the sunshine!

Bill

Day 1 - The Long Walk II Begins...

Janet and Nana headed out northbound on the Pacific Crest Trail from Tuolumne Meadows this afternoon around 1pm. It was a beautiful day - temps in the 70's, clear skies and light winds. Their destination is Cold Creek Canyon, approximately 9 miles distant.


Nana and Janet at the trailhead...


Lembert Dome in Tuolumne Meadows...

The Long Walk II - 2007

Welcome to the online journal for "The Mud Tribe" as they get ready to embark on their adventure for 2007, "The Long Walk II".

They are scheduled for departure on Friday, August 17th from Yosemite National Park's Tuolumne Meadows trailhead.

Wish them luck as they head north towards Lake Tahoe. I will be meeting them at each layover / re-supply point and downloading their digital images so that this journal can be updated with the most recent photos and stories from the trail.

As always, comments for the ladies are welcome and appreciated.

Thanks and I hope that you enjoy following along...

Bill