August 12-Silver Pass crossing

Miles Hiked: 13.11  Total: 94.25
Elevation Gain: 2440 ft

"As age comes on, one source of enjoyment after another is closed, but Nature's sources never fail. Like a generous host, she offers her brimming cups in endless variety, served in a grand hall, the sky its ceiling, the mountains its walls, decorated with glorious paintings and enlivened with bands of music ever playing." ~John Muir

OUR NATIONAL PARKS - pub. 1901

[John]

We awoke to frost on our tent and eventually bagged the pass in early afternoon.  Gimley and Jenny, two energetic and enthusiastic 20-something hikers from Michigan who we had met the day before, were kind enough to vacate “the spot” at the top of the pass when we arrived so we could sit, have lunch and enjoy the views. In turn, we vacated the spot when another nice young couple, Josh and Lucinda from Philadelphia, arrived. Discussing matters water, they noted their carefully researched, high quality water filter had broken (what a common refrain that is), so we gave them a bunch of our Aqua Mira water treatment tablets so that they would not have to make an unplanned visit to VVR to buy tablets.

We encountered the only on-trail packer our whole trip as we were beginning to ascend Silver Pass. He was heading down with 10 or 12 mules and gave us a helpful hint about which direction to ascend the upcoming snowfield. I must confess: I tend to be somewhat a hiker-Nazi when it comes to sharing what I consider hiking trails with horses, mules and such, as the animals can really pulverize the trails and too often the humans on the horses are arrogant and unfriendly, thinking they own the trail, not realizing that it actually belongs to me! But, I did develop a respect for the folks who safely maneuver roped together teams of animals up and down those treacherous switchbacks, ferrying heavy loads of supplies, some of which are used by staff and volunteers maintaining and rebuilding “my” trails.

As my journal noted, it was a “nice mellow day.” We only went a bit over 13 miles and was pretty much downhill after the 7 mile climb to Silver Pass. We considered getting set up for Selden Pass by ascending Bear Ridge, but decided we didn’t want to climb again in the hot afternoon sun. We found a beautiful, private camp site right next to Mono Creek, the evening was warm with a spectacular sunset through the trees. I had my first “food fantasy” that day – fresh cantaloupe – an interesting evolution from the fresh tomatoes I desired on long backpacks in my early 20s.

[Christi]
Ah...that's better!  A nice "easy" day with not too much climb and a little time at the end of the day to sit and ponder, write, and "be" there.

I've really enjoyed meeting the people on the trail.  Each of them have been unique and generous in every way.  No one asks about your life off the trail, no one cares.  Each day here is filled with ones immediate needs - eating, sleeping, and getting to the next campsite - and that's all that matters.