42 — Sequoia & Kings Canyon NP

Mile 750.8 — 766.3 (16.6 miles)

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Rose: Gorgeous Mountain Views all day Thorn: sandy trail, hard on the feet and ankles Bud: Mt Whitney tomorrow!

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I’ve had a smile on my face all day. Gorgeous Mountain View after gorgeous Mountain View. First, waking up to the sun starting to warm the granite walls surrounding Chicken Spring Lake, then mountains on the right, mountains on the left. Meadows and climbing and meadows.

Around 9am I entered Sequoia & King Canyon National Parks. I ate lunch at Rock Creek (backcountry) Campground. How refreshing to sit beside a babbling creek, wash my feet, do some chores in a beautiful place. I packed out a sandwich from town. I ate half for dinner last night and the other half for lunch today. I also ate an apple. It’s so nice to have some fresh food on trail.

Then some climbing and finally to Crabteee Meadow. I’m surprised there’s no Ranger here checking permits. We all plan to summit Mt Whitney tomorrow (or at least try). It’s going to be a chilly night though, so an alpine start with how little clothing I have probably won’t work well. I might have to start later just due to the chill and my thin summer clothes. All the conversations are about, “What time are you starting?” I’m going to set an alarm for 2am, judge the temperature and how I feel then make a decision (and probably hit snooze).