Thursday, 28 July 6.5* miles, 3:31
Looking west from near Duck Lake
In the middle of the night I awoke to find that the wind had changed and was bringing smoke into our once clear haven. I had learned from a hiker yesterday that the fire was big and somewhere in Sequoia. (We soon learned it was named the Lion fire.) We would be hiking roughly toward it. I decided to head down to Mammoth Lakes over Duck Pass to learn more and get out of the smoke. It was a lovely trail past a peak-rimmed lake with many brightly-colored wildflowers. Columbines and assorted paintbrushes witnessed our passing. Once over the pass the air was much clearer and there was patchy snow. This is a popular trail and we met many day and overnight hikers ascending who wanted to know about conditions. Once in the valley we passed several small lakes and a man (Rob) with his cross-country team offered us a ride into town and a place to shower. We quickly accepted. From the condo complex that he manages, and where we showered in a much-too-nice-for-us fancy bathroom, we were able to catch a free trolley into town and found a site at New Shady Rest, a National Forest campground right in the middle of town. A laundry, a natural food store, and a coffee shop with free wifi are next to each other in a small outdoor shopping center a short walk from camp. Splendid! First order of business was laundry. We got it started and while our nasty hiking shirts and trousers were rid of their filth, we did not feel strange at all relaxing in the patio seating area in front of the coffee shop wearing nothing but our full rain suits. With not a cloud in the sky. In 100-degree temperatures. To their credit most of the other people there didn’t act like it was strange either. I think they are used to hikers here. Mammoth Lakes isn’t a bad town but a hiker friend we would meet later would describe it as “soul-less” with crystalline clarity. I enjoyed the creature comforts...hot coffee, cold soda, clean underpants, and contact with home, but I am an alien here. I should be on the trail and I am eager to return to my proper habitat.
*Today’s miles were on the Duck Pass Trail
*Today’s miles were on the Duck Pass Trail
