Friday, July 5, 2014
Non PCT Miles: ~3 miles from Onion Valley Trailhead to Gilbert Lake
Post by Nick:
We woke up in the comfort of a warm bed in the guest room of Barry's cabin. We quickly showered up and made our way to the garage where we had out packs and gear strewn about. We needed to get our resupply stuff integrated and repacked. We also set aside gear for Debbie to take back to the Bay Area for us (ie. ice axes, microspikes, extra food, Mel's Mizuno shoes, etc). As we were prepping our gear Debbie brought me a cup of coffee and informed us that Barry was upstairs making paleo pancakes(using almond flour) with raspberries! We quickly wrapped up our prep work and joined Barry and Debbie upstairs for breakfast. It was delicious....thanks Barry!
We soon thereafter all loaded up into Barry's SUV along with our gear and were driven to the local bus-stop for the Eastern Transit which happens to be behind the local Mc. Donalds. We didn't have to wait long before the bus to Bishop arrived and said our goodbyes.
Barry & Debbie
Debbie & Mel
Me getting ready to load the packs.
The bus ride was uneventful and we arrived at Bishop next to the KMART & Safeway. It was around 10am and the next bus to take us down to Independence was at 1pm. Luckily there was a Starbucks nearby and outdoor seating. We spent the time reviewing our food supplies and buying some additional items from the grocery store. Eventually the bus to Indepedence showed up and we hopped aboard. The trip took longer than expected since many of the passengers were hauling large amounts of groceries and the bus driver was dropping them off directly at their homes. I asked the bus driver, somewhat in jest, whether we could pay an additional fee to get dropped off at the Onion Valley trailhead.... she didn't seem amused.
We arrived at Independence and went to the Post Office to send a couple additional things home. From the inside of the building we could see the Talker along with many others trying to get a ride up to the trailhead. There were many hikers and the car was fully loaded. We hid inside until they had left :)
I heard afterward, from the Talker, that they overheated twice on the way up and had to pull over. The road to the trailhead is ~13 miles long and very steep.
We walked over to Jenny's Cafe (one of only two eateries in town) and had lunch. We figured we'd fuel up before getting on the trail and also wanted to put some space between us and the talker. On the way out, we walked over to the street corner to hitch a ride and soon thereafter a prius drove down next to the Post Office and a guy with matted blood in his hair got out. Soon thereafter we saw a couple fire trucks and a few minutes after that an ambulance. It was quite the event and neighbors came out of their houses to watch and every car passing by slowed down and rubber-necked. Mel and I realized no one was going to stop and pick us up as long a this was going on.
I saw this guy walk all the way down the street from the fire station, dressing as he goes. I guess he didn't wake up in time and missed the boat...uh truck.
Finally the medical situation clears and a chopped up chevy pulls over and offers us a ride. Two guys are in the front seats and on their way to the trailhead for a couple days of backpacking. We graciously hop in and away we go back to the mountains. Once at the trailhead we thanks the guys, tip them, and start hiking. We fill up our water supplies and soon realize the Talker is sitting there at the trailhead drinking beer. As he sees us coming he starts hoisting his pack, greets us, and joins us up the mountain. The sun is getting low in the sky, I think it's around 5pm, and we see some beautiful scenery.
After about 3 miles in Mel and I agree to stop for the night and camp next to Gilbert Lake. The Talker decides to keep going and put in a few more miles. As I'm setting up camp Mel takes off to try out her new fishing pole. As you can see below she's immediately successful and catches what I think is a little Brook trout.
Getting ready to cast...
Non PCT Miles: ~3 miles from Onion Valley Trailhead to Gilbert Lake
Post by Nick:
We woke up in the comfort of a warm bed in the guest room of Barry's cabin. We quickly showered up and made our way to the garage where we had out packs and gear strewn about. We needed to get our resupply stuff integrated and repacked. We also set aside gear for Debbie to take back to the Bay Area for us (ie. ice axes, microspikes, extra food, Mel's Mizuno shoes, etc). As we were prepping our gear Debbie brought me a cup of coffee and informed us that Barry was upstairs making paleo pancakes(using almond flour) with raspberries! We quickly wrapped up our prep work and joined Barry and Debbie upstairs for breakfast. It was delicious....thanks Barry!
We soon thereafter all loaded up into Barry's SUV along with our gear and were driven to the local bus-stop for the Eastern Transit which happens to be behind the local Mc. Donalds. We didn't have to wait long before the bus to Bishop arrived and said our goodbyes.
Barry & Debbie
Debbie & Mel
Me getting ready to load the packs.
The bus ride was uneventful and we arrived at Bishop next to the KMART & Safeway. It was around 10am and the next bus to take us down to Independence was at 1pm. Luckily there was a Starbucks nearby and outdoor seating. We spent the time reviewing our food supplies and buying some additional items from the grocery store. Eventually the bus to Indepedence showed up and we hopped aboard. The trip took longer than expected since many of the passengers were hauling large amounts of groceries and the bus driver was dropping them off directly at their homes. I asked the bus driver, somewhat in jest, whether we could pay an additional fee to get dropped off at the Onion Valley trailhead.... she didn't seem amused.
We arrived at Independence and went to the Post Office to send a couple additional things home. From the inside of the building we could see the Talker along with many others trying to get a ride up to the trailhead. There were many hikers and the car was fully loaded. We hid inside until they had left :)
I heard afterward, from the Talker, that they overheated twice on the way up and had to pull over. The road to the trailhead is ~13 miles long and very steep.
We walked over to Jenny's Cafe (one of only two eateries in town) and had lunch. We figured we'd fuel up before getting on the trail and also wanted to put some space between us and the talker. On the way out, we walked over to the street corner to hitch a ride and soon thereafter a prius drove down next to the Post Office and a guy with matted blood in his hair got out. Soon thereafter we saw a couple fire trucks and a few minutes after that an ambulance. It was quite the event and neighbors came out of their houses to watch and every car passing by slowed down and rubber-necked. Mel and I realized no one was going to stop and pick us up as long a this was going on.
I saw this guy walk all the way down the street from the fire station, dressing as he goes. I guess he didn't wake up in time and missed the boat...uh truck.
Finally the medical situation clears and a chopped up chevy pulls over and offers us a ride. Two guys are in the front seats and on their way to the trailhead for a couple days of backpacking. We graciously hop in and away we go back to the mountains. Once at the trailhead we thanks the guys, tip them, and start hiking. We fill up our water supplies and soon realize the Talker is sitting there at the trailhead drinking beer. As he sees us coming he starts hoisting his pack, greets us, and joins us up the mountain. The sun is getting low in the sky, I think it's around 5pm, and we see some beautiful scenery.
After about 3 miles in Mel and I agree to stop for the night and camp next to Gilbert Lake. The Talker decides to keep going and put in a few more miles. As I'm setting up camp Mel takes off to try out her new fishing pole. As you can see below she's immediately successful and catches what I think is a little Brook trout.
Getting ready to cast...
Mel caught 5 fish that night. For the short 3 miles in Mel was wearing her new Merrill shoes...so far so good!
nice catch! hope they were keepers & that dinner was delicious!
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