After taking a couple zeros to decompress from the high elevation, I decided to continue my hike at a lower elevation, starting at Sonora Pass. Sadly, I left behind the most wonderful tramily, but at least we’re planning on visiting them in New Zealand at some yet-to-be-determined point in the future.
Unsure of what to expect for snow conditions, I began my day early as I had in the High Sierra. Several miles into the day, I spotted numerous swallow nests tucked into some of the rock faces, and I scrambled up off trail a bit for a closer look. Coming down the other side of the mountain, there was a significant amount of snow, but nothing sketchy, thank goodness.
The rest of the day, the trail wound in and out of forests and through many meadows. And then the sky began to darken. I picked up my pace, hoping to make it to my campsite before getting poured on. Unfortunately, I was not so lucky to stay dry, but I was lucky that it was mostly just hail! Hail is pretty, fun-sounding, and doesn’t soak you as thoroughly as a rain shower.
I only saw two other hikers, and I camped alone in a small peaceful meadow adorned with a cow’s skull.
