These images are from our thru-hike of the JMT in 98. We hiked from August 16 through September 3, southbound. The hike took 18 days to complete, covering about 220 miles. Solophile and I are indebted to Big Bird (of AT 97 fame) for the splendid hospitality in the Bay City, the time he took off to be our personal tour guide, and the great hitch out to Yosemite.
| < Photo 135 of 223 > |
Heart Lake Continuing south, we started a fairly gentle descent into the San Joaquin River valley. Once past this and two other lakes, the trail would turn decidedly dry. At altitude, hiking with still-full packs and in a cloudless sky for the eleventh day, one dehydrates quickly. Water matters. On the plus side, we would be descending 3000 ft and knew there would be plenty of water at the Piute Trail junction, or we could take a side trail to the Muir Ranch just a mile off the JMT. |
