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Saturday night was peaceful up until the
shooting started. It was dark. We were already up in bed. There was one other
camp in the area, about a half mile away. We had spotted the glow of their
campfire Friday night as we walked. Campfires have been banned since the
Forest's fire restrictions went into effect the first of June. The winds were
upslope, away from our camp, so we figured we'd have time if the fire got away
from these ignorant people. Our exit was also away from the initial probable
direction of travel. This was a reason to move from our previous camp spot, to
be further away. The shooting stopped, we dropped back into sleep, dreaming
that their camp had been taken in a night assault by the Marines.
If you speak with USFS folks, you'll find
that most forest visitors ignore campfire restrictions. Not only that, many
leave without putting out the fire. Most FPO's (Forest Protection Officers)
spend all weekend just going from campfire to campfire, putting them out, and
writing citations. It is a dangerous and stupid waste of time and resources.
The $375 fine (that can be levied against every individual in the group) is
obviously not high enough. I think we should start confiscating cars and trucks
and firearms and camping equipment and spay and neuter them all. Or let the
Marines use them for training exercises.
We woke early on Sunday. The temperature was
34°. The Lady kicked me out of the camper and began her fussing as the light began in the east.
Morning alpenglow graced the peaks to the west.
And a new day began.
Morning coffee and breakfast was out on our
point.
We returned to Sonora Pass. Today we would mosey south on the Pacific Crest Trail.
As we started up from the trailhead and
gained only a little elevation, we were startled by the sudden roar of a fighter jet.
It came up from the east and just cleared the summit. It was below us. It dove
down the west side and was gone.
As on the north side, the PCT does a nice
job gaining elevation and reaching the crest.
We reached the ridge and our first view to
the west. An inversion layer capped a heavy layer of smoke from the Rough Fire
to the south.
The trail heads south along the west side of
the crest.
It climbs to a gap and moves over onto the
west side.
It tops another saddle that offers a view
into the Leavitt Creek drainage. Popular Leavitt Lake to the far left.
We continued on, skirting above Latopie
Lake.
We found a nice spot above Latopie Lake.
Sheltered, out of the wind, a wonderful rock for a backrest, we took in the
view.
This was our turn around point. After an
hour or so, we started back. There was a large rock fall across the trail.
The basin at the head of McKay Creek was
nice and we enjoyed the way the trail worked the terrain.
We were soon back to the northern most
highpoint where the trail begins its drop back to Sonora Pass.
It winds its way down with a large looping
switchback.
We had noticed the inversion rising in the
west. The smell of wildland fire smoke was heavy in the air when we returned to
the trailhead. The views were quickly obscured as the smoke streamed over the
crest. We decided to seek out a quieter campsite for Sunday evening. The Lady
suggested the spot we like up by the Emma Lake trailhead off the Little Walker
River Road.
We stopped at Pickel Meadows to document how quickly and completely the smoke had taken over.
We climbed the rough road and turned off on
the short spur that took us to our high spot.
Smoke was settling in the valleys all around
us.
We noticed that the Red Firs were heavy with
cones. Is this a sign of a coming big winter? We can hope
.
Smoke continued to stream over the Sierra
crest.
We walked in the evening after our showers
and dinner. We were alone. The trailhead was empty. There was no one else
around.
We settled in for a peaceful but smoky
night.
The next morning the sun rose out of the
smoke.
The West Walker Canyon to the north was choked by smoke.
The filtered red sunlight gave an eerie feel
to the morning.
I made the Lady pancakes for breakfast along
with fresh peaches from our trees at home.
We had chores to do at home, so we headed
out. All in all it had been another fine getaway and a nice adventure discovering
and exploring close to home.
