Trail And Errors

A 5am alarm call marks the start of a long last push into town. They're on the trail promptly, and despatch Cascade Creek quickly via a log crossing and a short wade. Passing the 1000 mile marker is an emotional moment as they consider how far their feet have bought them. The miles come quickly as they cross their first bridge for days and the trail winds through a beautiful wooded valley. They're pleased of their late night push yesterday, and as they start a 2000ft ascent they spot a doe with two fawns in a clearing. The trail moves up out of the forest onto a wide scree covered ridgeline; they take the rocky top to the ridge rather than the steep & sketchy snow covered traverse along the mountainside. The views at the top are immense, and the trail is good, but the wind is insane as the follow the ridge along the western edge before dropping over to the other side through a windy gap with rocky buttresses pointing skyward. Sonora Pass (a road rather than a trail pass) is in sight below, but there're st