Sonora Pass. Mile 1016

Holy Mole, I might not be climbing as many passes; but it is a continuous up 2 miles down 2 miles.  I'm starting to feel the faster pace in my body.

The lakes and meadows are always lovely. I might even say that for you they are all starting to look the same.

I managed to collapse two snow bridges.  One sent me flying gave first into a rock.  Rock one,  Milestone zero.  Scratched my glasses and thankfully got only minor lip.  Hard to tell with no mirror. Though a lovely hiker confirmed my diagnosis. This photo is an example of a snow bridge.

Second snow bridge collapse caused some left foot pain.  I think I bruised the ball of my foot. All of my ailments can be fixed with ibuprofen and the mileage still adds up.

This is Wilmer Lake.

Dorthy Lake sits up high right before Dorthy Lake Pass. I wonder why it is named that?

The view looking north from Dorthy Pass. I had a heck of a time finding the trail from here. I bush whacked for a while. 

The changing scenery is good for my mental state. I was in need of something different to look at. I guess I am getting spoiled.


The Mt before Sonora Pass was brutal.  Tough up and down.  Luckily I went up in the evening and slept on top. Perfect sunset to celebrate reaching 1000 miles!!!!

The down was tricky and scary. Slow and steady is always in my mind.  One point I had to dig every foot hold out with every step. But eventually it led to an epic glissade.

I busted butt to Sonora Pass to hitch my way to Kennedy Meadows North for lunch and shipping off my heavy bear can (bear proof food container).

Of course I get picked up by another Scott. This gentleman sells his spring water to bottled water companies.  We talked of international travel and bottling water.  Life, interesting to the last drop.

Ate the best burger at the Kennedy Meadows diner, drank way too much lemonade, shipped off my at least 2lb bear can. I was happy as a bug in a zero degree sleeping bag.

Amazingly started talking with the Knutzens, a lovely South African couple who have lived in Reno, NV for many yrs.  They informed me that when they moved to Reno it was all cowboys in the town.  Turns out he is an MD and she is a Pastor.  Topics range from hiking food to sailing around the world (Yes, this couple retired and just did it!). They so graciously pay for my meal and drove me back to the Trail Head.