The goal for the day is Echo Lake Resort, where Pete’s Uncle Keith and Aunt Jan will feed us and put us up for the night. To get there we have to negotiate several miles of crusty snow in low, thickly forested hills. With not much more of a plan than “head north”, we somehow…

Our meandering route through Indian Meadows is just what we needed – a snowless exploration of hills, marshes, and fields. It’s enough of a respite that we don’t take it too hard when we finally get lost in the snow again. The day gives us some beautiful moments of light and color, and enough of…

At this point we are sick of the snow. Really sick. We keep convincing ourselves that around the bend the trail drops out of the snow forever, only to be sorely disappointed again and again. Our feet look like they’ve been soaking in the bath for two weeks straight. In the morning we get lost,…

A scary description in the guidebook almost convinces us to skip one of the prettiest and most unique sections of the trail just before Sonora Pass. To our benefit we risk it and enjoy some incredible views and a great glacade down to the pass. Firmly planted in the adventurous spirit we strike off the…

Early in the morning I cheerfully strip down to cross Kerrick Creek. Halfway across the bottom drops out and I’m swimming in icy cold water. Pete follows suit while I howl, shiver, and dress. Our early optimism for the day is challenged by miles of deep sun cups over Dorothy Pass and out of Yosemite…

One day nature can wound the soul, the next day heal it. When we give up clinging to our desires for lost packages, less snow, and such things, we gain power. Several 3 to 5 thousand-foot climbs and descents only fuel us further. The granite peaks dropping into mysterious valleys tug our hearts along. I…

The package doesn’t show, which puts Pete in a foul mood. We get a small sampling of the wildlife, granite, tourists, and rangers indigenous to Yosemite National Park. The day ends with two harrowing fords that leave me feeling small and helpless, once again beyond the reaches of civilization. I sit by the roaring creek…

Arriving in Tuolumne meadows we luck out – the store/post office has opened early this season. While we partake of many civilized delights like gardenburgers, haircuts, and ice cream, there is one disappointment. A package we were expecting doesn’t show up. We decide to wait one more day for it. While we sleep in a…

A profoundly beautiful day, we lose any sense of difference between ourselves, this high rugged land, things gone by, and things to come. It is all encompassed in these high sierra mountains. I could say that we climbed two more passes, got lost in between, talked honestly, and enjoyed the silence. But I can’t imagine…

We eagerly gobble all our food and drink all our water, anticipating a store at Red’s Meadow. We find a very closed store, and a bunch of carpenters trying to get a fish hook out of a kid’s arm. On their way to the hospital we scam a ride into Mammoth Lakes, then back again.…