Day 23: Palidades Lake to Majory
Lake, 8 miles over 12,000 feet Mather Pass
Leap frog was the theme of the
day. We were one of the last groups to
leave Palisades Basin, all heading to Majory Lake in a scattered line, dotting
the trail like an army of ants.
Palisades basin was truly stunning.
Close in rugged peaks hugged the basin that housed rolling hills of
granite and grasses and a sparkly lake.
We’d fall into pace with one
group, answering the same questions around our success at hiking with our
kids. One group we passed, whipped out
their cameras, once again. For proof for their own that kids really can do
this. And as we ascended over the pass,
the many groups gathered and paused to take in the view cheered Bekah and Cade
on as they arrived. I felt a little
embarrassed by all the attention and truly felt that the grey-haired folks
sitting on this 12,000 foot pass had accomplished more than we had, but it’s
not too kosher to congratulate a 55+ hiker: “Wow! It’s so good to see older people like you are out here!” So, I
settle for a smile and light conversation.
But truly, I love seeing the age
range on this pass today – healthy, active, adventure seeking Americans. I would love to sit down and talk to each
person as I know, in a group this big, many have had to overcome adversity –
and dis so to have chances like this to take in sweeping vistas that require
the heart to pump and sweat to flow in order to see. Later on I’d learn a few of the stories of the people I sat with
today: bummed knees and multiple heart stents to name a few, were part of the
full story contained in these kind hearted fellow travelers of the trail.
Yes,
these happy, easy-going, fellow hikers who are cheering on our kids indeed our
inspiring me. May I be going strong
well into my gray-haired years, loving life and living it full like these
amazing people are doing. Earlier in
our hike we met a lady in her 80s, backpacking along with her family, like
she’d done for many years. “Don’t tell
me I inspire you,” she warned us, “I am just doing what I do. But you little darling,” she said, as she
bent a little to look in Bekah’s eyes, “you inspire me!” These are the moments I love the most about
being out here. In our independent, hurried world, we live
indoors, isolated from anyone we don’t purposefully decide to interact
with. On the trail, everyone lives
outdoors. When we pass on the trail
hwy, we literally bump shoulders.
Unlike in our cars, on the trail, every person you pass you make eye
contact with, smile, and often exchange a few words that sometimes leads to a
full 10 to 20 minute conversation. I
will indeed miss this natural camaraderie created out here. A natural community.
We got into camp at 3:45 after
walking in rain for at least an hour today.
It was a chilly and wet afternoon but at times, as we walked through the
valley beyond Mather Pass, the sun would break through the clouds and warmth
would flood our bodies. Eventually, the
clouds parted and clustered over the peaks that surrounded us, but right over
our trail, the sun shone. Due to the
unpredictable weather, we set up camp earlier then planned, close to Majory
Lake. Within an hour of setting up the
tents, the thunderstorm officially arrived, sending the kids and I into the
tent by 5:30. Evenings like this seem
to pass slowly, as 5:30 is a very early time to have to begin a night of tent
living.
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