July 21, 2017
Tahoe to Mile 1101.6 (Susie Lake Outlet)
Pacific Crest Trail Thru-Hike: Day 77
We’ll I’ll be damned. We saw Left and Right today. Here I am, always thinking about people we’ve met along the trail, assuming we’re weeks behind them, and along comes one, then another.
Left and Right turned back to Tahoe to rest. We saw them sitting on a rock next to Aloha Lake, and they said they might even quit the trail. That they’re just tired. I’m disappointed, but feel a burst of pride and acknowledgement for me and Alex. The reason Left and Right say they’re leaving trail is because the Sierra wore them out. I can only imagine that part of that is trying to make the same mileage through the Sierra as through the rest of trail. I feel proud because Alex and I had the courage to slow down, even if it meant losing our trail family, because pushing ourselves wore us down. It made hiking not fun. So we slowed down and soaked up everything those Sierra mountains had to give, and came out of it delighted and rejuvenated. I’m disappointed to see Left and Right turn back, but it bolsters me in my past decisions to hike my own hike and take my time to do what is right for me.
We rested by beautiful Aloha Lake, and while I made lunch, Alex jumped in!
Echo Lake had beer, so we packed a few out. Met a whole wonderful new group of hikers I had never seen before, which I’m taking as a good omen. Stopped to camp by Susie Lake. We finally got s’more stuff in Tahoe, but now we’re in the Desolation Wilderness and can’t even use it because campfires aren’t allowed! What the heck, trail!
There are tons of cool cabins on Echo Lake; it made me wish I could spend a weekend at one of them.
Water is getting noticeably more scarce compared to the Sierra, so we’ll have to start being careful that we’ll have enough to drink and cook with.
Before camp, we hiked through a swarm of mosquitos so thick that I had to close my eyes and plug my nose while I ran through them. The DEET is spread thick, but it’s either foregoing physical health for mosquito protection or foregoing mental health and letting the swarms descend.
