7/21/13 – 5 miles.
On day one of our hike we woke early in the backpacker campground, boiled water for a quick cup of coffee, and walked a mile through Yosemite National Park to the official starting point of the John Muir Trail. The temperature was cool and the path shady as we climbed the first two miles up a fairly steep canyon. We definitely struggled with our full packs and new muscle demand, but all of us did well and soon put the valley far below. As the morning wore on the sun broke over the mountains and slowed our pace for the last mile before we reached Nevada Falls.
Deadeye had his new solar panel tied to the top of his pack, so the sunny parts of the trail were good for charging but not pleasant for hiking.
We passed two mule trains coming out of the valley and you can probably guess why hikers call this the John “Manure” Trail. Watch where you step!
We are camped at Little Yosemite Valley tonight. Tomorrow X, N, and Dr. Suuz will attempt Half Dome while Deadeye and I will hike to the next camp and wait for them. Deadeye has a sore toe so we thought it best to rest some tomorrow. We hope tomorrow will take us beyond the crowds and noisy camps and into the back country of the beautiful Sierra. I probably won’t have much signal there.