An Open Adventure Journal by Vanessa Temblador
I was up pretty early this morning after an early night, and I can already start to feel the seasons change. A short hike up to Lake Marjorie and a little bummed I didn’t make it all the way there the previous night. My campsite was pretty awesome though, but Lake Marjorie was beautiful! I started my hike around 8:45 AM and by 9 AM I was soaking in the views of Lake Marjorie.
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Today I met Ranger Sam. Right before calling a NERO and backtracking about .5 miles from Mather Pass, I ran into Ranger Sam. Because of Ranger Sam, I hiked 12-miles today! Because of Ranger Sam, I am .6 miles from my goal for today, but since he is stationed there, and being dead ass tired- I’m camped above a lake below Lake Marjorie.
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I’ve been sheltering myself from this storm for a few hours now. The long climb up to Palisade Lake didn’t make it to Upper before the thunder. Long day. Just no energy today. Really think it was because I didn’t snack.
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It felt like I woke up on the moon this morning. Sitting above 11k ft. Wanda Lake is pretty exposed. With only less than 2 miles to Muir Hut and the only climb I had that entire day, I took my time making my way up. I was pretty surprised to actually see the hut from the trail down below, and I made it up pretty fast.
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Wasn’t tired to stop, but needed water before reaching the ranger station. Don’t know why, just feel like I might get caught up there, like talking with people, not caught for doing anything wrong. Melia told me that if I were to zero, that McClure Meadow would be a place to do it. I can see why. Although no time to zero and body not wanting to.
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I woke up before sunrise this morning, in hopes to be able to solo soak in the hot springs. It was hard getting out of my tent, but I was so happy to be able to soak alone that morning. It was super peaceful, and everything I needed. I soaked for a good 30-minuets before going back to camp.
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This place is magical, I’m telling ya. There is this frequency I’ve heard since I got here and I’ve heard it all night long. It’s quiet, but loud, I can’t possibly be the only one who hears it. The water felt amazing! I got in right before 8 AM this morning and it was great. I walked in far enough to dive in and I’m pretty sure it’s the first lake I’ve ever dived in.
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Marie Lake is beautiful. Lake Virginia was my favorite, now Marie Lake is my favorite. This view is everything. When I turn around for a 360 degree view, I can count at least 20+ peaks! I’m not even facing the direction I’m going tomorrow, rather where I came from? It’s 6, close to 7 PM and I had 4 mini burittos for dinner and a handful of gummy sours and in a few mins I’m going to cheers a fireball shot to the prettiest sunset yet- I can already tell.
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The 8 mile climb, ok I guess it was like 6 mile climb on Bear Ridge trail back to JMT was killing me. A later start after leaving VVR, which was hard to do in the first place. Anyways, not much today but the 6 mile climb back to JMT. I knew exactly when I got back on the JMT, the trail just felt different. I stopped hiking kinda early today, found a pretty awesome site, by a creek, awesome views, but totally seen from the trail.
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Early morning journaling today. Tried to sleep in, but my body is restless. Feet are tired, not sure, body’s a little sore, but honestly no real complaints. Gaia came back this morning after I realized I probably just switched the map layer lol! Oops. Ah well, at least I figured it out! Yesterday was a long day. I ended up hiking 11.42 miles! Mentally I was ready to stop 2.6 miles ago, but realized I could sleep next to a creek w/running water if I just hiked 2.6 miles further downhill.
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I’m not even sure how I did 11.47 miles today, but you know what- it sure in hell feels like it. Started the day late, at 10 AM. Awesome morning, up until Gaia decides to kick me out of my account, not having ANY access to MAPS! Ugh, it’s pretty frustrating not knowing the mountains I’m looking at, or what’s coming up.
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Just finished cooking dinner. Tonight: garlic creamy shells w/broccoli. I know, I was supposed to have burritos tonight, but I actually think I’ll make it to VVR tomorrow. My calculations were totally off. Today has been a day. Motto: “Only uphill when it’s not” or something like that.
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Back on the JMT. Solo this time and I’m not sure how I feel about it so far. Loving my new 1P tent. Ice cream + beer at Reds before hitting the trail at 3 PM. A celebration to myself for getting myself (kinda) back on trail. Shit was NOT easy, but I am here. My solo JMT journey has officially begun!
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We woke up Thursday morning with less than 10 miles to Reds Meadow, where we would take a shuttle back to Mammoth and drive home for the weekend. Thankfully, it was our last 10 miles because both of our phones were dying and we had both been tracking our hike all week. With little video recording and photos, we made it down and then back up again to Red’s Meadow.
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Still a little shaken up from our near bear encounter last night, we woke up early, packed up, and headed back to trail. It was a windy night and a very windy morning, so everything was all sandy and annoying.
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This morning was a simple reminder of how it should be if we didn’t necessarily have a time limit. We woke up a little late, and for once- we just hung out at camp. I actually made ramen and broccoli for breakfast, I can’t remember if that was before or after I sat in the creek for a while. Either way, it wasn’t go go go this morning and that was kind of nice.
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Camping way off trail today, just the way I like it. Rush Creek. Woke up early, got on trail 8 AM! Donohue Pass. Ran into Canada “Commando” from Tuolumne Meadows. Lyell Fork is beautiful. Lots of water. Big meadow. Proud of sis.
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After a late night up with the full moon last night, I was certain we’d miss sunrise, as we did. A slow start to our day, so I decided to get in the lake. Not for very long, and just for a quick rinse. It was our first lake on the John Muir Trail and I’d completely regret it if I didn’t at least dip my toes!
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Earlyish start, 9AM. 1 NOBO hiker before breaking camp. Slept great. Big dandelion on trail. More NOBO hikers. Change into shorts 10 AM. Ran into SOBO couple hiking entire JMT. Running low on food. Goal to make it to TM today. 14 miles total. Big climb, took long. Then all downhill. Break at Cathedral Lakes.
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Nothing like missing your first bus, and already off to a late start. Tears before even leaving town. Out of breath before getting on trail. Almost missed our 2nd YART, but we made it. I cried. The drive into Yosemite was beautiful, not having to drive myself.
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Here’s a leisurely 25-days on the John Muir Trail with absolutely no ZEROs! 😜
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Planning to hike the John Muir Trail? Here’s a quick and simple guide for all 5 resupply options along the JMT!
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You know all of those places you have saved on your maps? Maybe you too have a list titled, “BRB”? How about the social media followers that you interact with daily, that you’ve never met? I’m sure we all have those things. I’m sure we all contemplate how it would be if we just reached out to that one person with an invite. Well, I’ve contemplated for entirely way too long, and as my BRB list continues to grow, I’m finding myself reaching out to more people with weekend invites now more than ever. Not only am I checking off bucket list destinations, but I’m building real friendships along the way.
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It’s Memorial Day weekend, the end of May, and the beginning of backpacking season! Winter is gone, and for the past 4 months I have sucessfully gone on one solo road trip every month this year.
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“One, and done, and never again” I said, as I completed the Trans-Catalina trail 5 years ago. Well, Never Say Never…
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Kicking off backpacking season with a 32-mile hike visiting two hot springs in the Sespe Wilderness located in Los Padres National Forest.
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Meditating can be tough, but it doesn’t have to be! Here I am, 111 days into my meditation journey, and I find it hard to believe that I’ve made it this far!
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From accommodations to wilderness permits, trail navagation and weather; I’ve narrowed down 10 favorite websites and apps that help me plan out epic adventures.
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Being able to actually show my sisters just exactly why I don’t mind the 6-hour drive to Mammoth is probably one of my favorite ways to get them outdoors and in the backcountry. It was Anjoelina’s very first backpacking trip, and Brittany’s 10th (or so); and to have them both here with me in Mammoth was something special.
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The California wildfires this year were heart-breaking, to say the least. Our hiking community has been affected by trail-closures, canceled hiking permits and plans this summer.. oh, and not to forget- we’re currently in the middle of a pandemic. Once places started to safely open up to the public; hikers and backpackers, like myself, took full advantage of getting back on the trail.
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