July 2, 2022 US 50 crossing at mile 1090.8 to campsite at mile ~1107.9 17.1 miles I wake up before everyone else and creep into the common area, where we’ve stored Tribute’s massive balloon. Finding it, I return to our room and clip it to Tribute’s bunk. “Happy birthday!” I whisper, trying not to wake …
July 1, 2022 0 miles Oh, it is a slow morning. I wake up naturally around 6:30 and think about going to write, but it just doesn’t happen. It’s too cozy, too early. I stay in the room. Eventually, though, the thought of breakfast becomes overpowering, and when Jumbo and Tribute are eventually awake enough …
June 30, 2022 Showers Lake at mile 1081.9 to US 50 crossing at mile 1090.8 to South Lake Tahoe 8.9 miles Town day! Town day! I wake up marginally quickly, pack up, eat a quick breakfast, and get ready to hike the 9 miles into Tahoe. I feel like I’ve been fairly effective, but Tribute …
June 29, 2022 Campsite at mile 1061.5 to Showers Lake at mile 1081.9 20.4 miles The mosquitoes went away in the night, but they’re back this morning. Still, it’s not as bad as it could be. There are just, say, three or four. Jumbo is packed up and ready to go long before we are, …
June 28, 2022 Wolf Creek at mile 1039.3 to campsite at mile 1061.5 22.2 miles Cowboy camping is so nice. You can set up fast, take down fast, and see the stars. But it’s all fun and games until the mosquitoes start whining in the morning. Then it’s time to move. I walk with Jumbo …
June 27, 2022 Kennedy Meadows North to Sonora Pass to Wolf Creek at mile 1039.3 22.4 miles We try to get breakfast at the restaurant, but because they’re short-staffed and a lot of hikers descend at once, it’s ages before anyone even gets to our table. Tribute and I decide to go to the store …
June 26, 2022 Campsite at mile 1003.8 to Sonora Pass at mile 1016.9 and Kennedy Meadows North 13.1 miles I’m very pleased with my decision to make a sneaky little coffee this morning. It warms and wakes me up for this big climb we’re about to do. Somehow Tribute and I manage to pack up …
June 25, 2022 Kerrick Creek at mile 979.8 to campsite at mile 1003.8 24 miles When my alarm rings at 5, I only snooze it once. If I get up now, I think, I could make some coffee! I run to the bushes to pee and then dive back into my tent, set up my …
June 24, 2022 Spiller Creek at mile 957.3 to Kerrick Creek at mile 979.8 22.5 miles A huge uphill is first on the menu on this chilly morning. I start out in my puffy and wind pants but have to take them off within a mile. This climb is not messing around. In mere minutes …
June 23, 2022 Mile 937.7 to Spiller Creek at mile 957.3 19.6 miles It’s a lot easier to wake and pack up when you’re cowboy camping. The daylight streams through the forest, and we have food and hot coffee on our minds. The trail is flat this morning, following the meadow and river. I walk …
Sarahmarie Specht-Bird 