Well, three guys from Lusby, MD and one guy from Fort Worth, TX went up the main train on the 9th for a two-night backpack, and all four made the summit early on the afternoon of the 10th. We spent one night at the Portal, one night at trail camp, summited and returned to trail camp. I felt pretty good, so I went on down to Lone Pine Lake and slept there while Mark, Tom, and Ken slept at trail camp. Beautiful weather all weekend - not a cloud in the sky. Great for stargazing and seeing the Perseid meteor shower. As always, met a lot of great folks (though none of the board regulars). A few observations:
1) The area looked pretty clean with respect to poop. Didn't notice any under the rocks anywhere in trail camp. Did see one used wag bag on the side of the trail in Bighorn Park. Lots of folks returned to the trailhead with used wag bags. Trailhead board says over 3,000 pounds have been carried out this season. Wow. A ton and a half of poop.
2) Saw something unusual on the way up - the remains of a dead deer below Lone Pine Lake. All that was left was one leg and the head. I guess a bear had himself a good meal. Anyone else see it?
3) Ran into a group of Boy Scouts who had come in from Horse Corral Meadow over Colby Pass. They all made it and had a bunch of proud parents waiting for them at the Portal on Saturday. Good job - some of the packs looked to be as big as the kids themselves.
4) A little ice on the switchbacks above trail camp early in the morning, and a little at the cables, but not enough to be an issue.
5) No snow anywhere on the trail - a big contrast to last year, when the last switchback was covered with snow and ice and causing folks some trouble.
6) Went without a tent again this year; certainly didn't need it with the spectacular weather.
7) Saw a forest fire over in Sequoia from the summit. It got quite a bit bigger while we were up there. Hope it didn't get out of control.
8) Still have no appetite once I get above Outpost Camp. I tried a few new trail mixes I found in Backpacker, but couldn't hardly eat them either. Powdered Propel fitness water worked well. Lemon flavor, and it made me want to drink more, which always helps.
9) Lone Pine Lake is a great place to sleep! Quiet, shaded, off the trail far enough so dayhikers don't disturb you. Highly recommended! Got down early Saturday (before the Portal was open) so I went down to town, filled up the car, and grabbed a bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit from Mickey D's. Junk food never tasted so good. Headed back up to the Portal to wait for lunch.
10) Had the burger and fries when Tom, Mark, and Ken returned, then headed back to LA for dinner at PF Chang's and an early Sunday flight back to BWI.
A great weekend. Just wish I could get out there more often. Oh well, might do Langley next year for a change of pace. Then there is the upcoming fall hiking season out here to look forward to.
