Log: Day 98 - Mile 942.5

July 19, 2016

My plan had been to get up early and maybe catch sunrise at the top of Benson Pass. I accidentally slept in until 6:00am though and this did not happen. On the way up to the pass I ran into who I believe was Ah-ha, the man from Southern California hiking without shoes and laying out in the nude. I didn't make the connection until after we had parted.

Benson Pass

I pushed until 10:15am before taking a long break by a lake. I thought about jumping in for a dip but it was a little too early in the day and there was just enough wind that getting out would have been unpleasant.

There was a big descent after the lake and then a long walk through a meadow. It was hot and sunny and I went through water faster than expected in the direct sunlight. The meadow had a stream running through it but it was not moving and the stagnant water did not look at all appealing. I was concerned about my filter still but did not want to run out of water again as I had the day before.

I filled up and began the descent to Tuolumne Falls. I knew I was close when I began seeing footprints in the path from sandals and Vans. The falls were pretty impressive and it was the closest I had been to a waterfall so far on the trail. The trail climbed up along the falls and then continued along the river until it reached Tuolumne Meadows proper.

Just before reaching the general store the trail passed the Parsons Memorial Lodge and Soda Springs. The lodge was locked up but the springs were cool to check out. Naturally occurring carbonated water bubbles up out of the ground. I decided not to try it as I didn't trust drinking it straight due to the amount of foot traffic near the springs and I figured the filtering process would remove the carbonation.

Parsons Memorial Lodge

Soda Springs Cabin

Lambert Dome

I just missed the grill hours when I arrived at the general store but met JMT hikers Squeegee, Newton, Yack, Nick, and Brenna in the picnic area. Dinner consisted of an entire bag of sun chips with a package of salsa. The walk-in backpackers campground was very crowded and Yak, Newton, and Squeegee had a drive-in campsite they offered to let the three of us stay at. We had a fire and hung out talking until it got dark.