Devils Postpile to Tuolme Meadows. Mile 942

What can I say but columnar basalt lava. Interesting. No comment any where on why the rocks got named Devils Postpile. Very disappointing.  Not to mention,  I've seen better columnar basalt lava in Oregon, with a waterfall running over it. :)

Gorgeous fragrant patches of blossoms are on the trail up to 1000 Island Lake. 

Ran into my old hiking buddy,  Brazilian Woodpecker. Yes,  he is Brazilian. We agreed to hike together due to similar mileage goals.  He will be ahead for a few days due to me having to pick up a package in Yosemite Valley. The Post Office in Tuolme Meadows is closed.

Sweeping views of 1000 Island Lake. I think the water level is so high that it should now be called 20 Island lake.

Enjoyed dinner looking at the lake.  Made ramen with JMT hiker Jordan's fancy dehydrated ground turkey and herbs. Fancy! Sharing is caring.

Woke up early and blasted past Donahue Pass and made it into Tuolme Meadows by 1230. P.S. 16 miles in 6 hrs. I was determined to make it to Yosemite Valley before the Post Office closed.

Got a hitch from Scott, a lovely chemical salesman from the LA area on his way back from Mammoth, CA where he was working on his vacation home.  Wonderful gentleman that gave me tips on life to chemicals. I love meeting new people.  He could only take me half way, but did a little stop allowing me to take this great picture of Half Dome.  

Quickly bought a lemonade at the gas station and went searching for my next hitch.

Three lovely English College ladies on vacation picked me up almost immediately. They were exploring part of America's  great outdoors.  Next up, America's playground: Vegas. They were super sweet and allowed me to put my back pack in the "boot" aka trunk.

I was in time for the Post Office! Got my package and retrieved lots of love sent from Aberdeen, SD. Thank you so much for the encouraging words, food, and misc items.

I bought a quality hiker dinner and watched some Netflix before hitting the hay in a backpacker's campground in Yosemite Valley. Cathy came for me the next day with all the gear I had stashed at her house.  Resuplied with food and a clothing change for warmer climates. I'm off in search of Lake Tahoe.