I pushed pretty hard today figuring I’d rather make my final day a bit easier. The two 12,000′ passes were summited under blue skies but my legs know the end is near and weren’t giving me my normal power output (7000′ of climbing gave them their money’s worth).. .I guess they are ready for a break!

The view from Mather Pass to the North showing off the Palisade peaks (mostly 14,000’+) with Upper and Lower Palisade lakes just visible in the valley below.

The Mather Pass view looking to the South.

One of the many sapphire blue lakes on the final approach to Pinchot Pass.

The view from the top.

After a 3500′ descent the trail crossed Woods Creek on a very lively suspension bridge (sign says “one person at a time”).

I got to camp right at 7pm just as the last light was hitting the upper reaches of the peaks. It would be dark in 15 minutes.

Tomorrow is just 8 miles to the junction for Kearsarge Pass and then another 8 miles to Onion Valley Trailhead (w/ 4000′ of climbing) where I will hitch a ride 15 miles into town. If any of this sounds familiar, I did the same thing back in June when the trail was buried in snow (there’s a video of Sequoia glissading down). It should be easier to hitch a ride since there are actually people hiking the trails now that the snow is gone.