This was the last stretch of the JMT before it cuts off and dumps to its start point in Yosemite Valley. We decided to hike the last 14 miles of it before we permanately break off back onto the PCT. Although there was a good amount of snow to hike through it was nice.. I hiked the alternate to Island Pass. The climb was nice and not too tough.
my attempt at an illustration
For a majority of the day, I hiked solo. The trail brought me to Rosalie lake, which had beautiful reflective water. Then I dropped 700 ft down switchbacks to Shadow Lake, which was one of the largest natural lakes in the Sierra that I have seen. It was also completely melted through, and crystal green. I took a break here and smoked a cigarette. Getting down to the lake I cut my knee open hopping over a tree trunk, but I feel pretty good. The mosquitos, however, are on a rampage.
the last bit of frozen water
After my break I hiked uphill for a long while with Ten Gallon to get up and over into the next valley. The next valley had Garnett Lake, which was…wow. So damn beautiful. Storm clouds are all around us and I heard thunder booms in the distance.
forest!
Our group is super strung out across this section of trail, some of us are hiking faster than others, and we may not hit our 17 mile goal today. GoPro, Ten Gallon and I hung out for a while waiting on them but we finally decided to keep going. We continue the climb up and over to Ruby Lake and then we pass a small unnamed lake. One more hill is climbed and then we are able to see Thousand Island Lake for the first time. Its completely frozen over which a couple spots thawed.
At the lake we reunite with ViPR, Fundip and their crew. We head up Island Pass with the intent of finding a good place to camp.
Righteous, Big Daddy, and Happy Hour never show up to the lake. I know Big Daddy was having severe ankle pain. We decide to summit Island Pass - the easiest pass by far. We haul ass down the north slope and stop to camp. Im so tired and sore after a 17 mile hike. It was a lot of up and down hiking today. We bullshit and make dinner. The other 3 never show up. I hope they are ok!