June 20:Red's Meadow

We had camped 11 miles short of Red's Meadow, a mountain resort (again, not glitzy) that caters to Equestrians and that markets itself as a premier back-country campground for Mammoth Lakes. They also offer free hot spring showers and cheeseburgers (not free). It was the latter that drew us in. With 11 miles to go, we would roll in for an early lunch, which is what we did. I was starting to feel like I had way too much food with me, since we'd had a hot breakfast at VVR the day before and then a hot lunch here at Red's. We passed on the hot spring showers, as tempting as they were, mostly because of time and also because we would have to hike to the campground to find them. You know you've been hiking awhile when you say things like, "I don't need a shower; I just took one two days ago."

We hiked on...and on and on. Our goal was Thousand Island Lake, 15ish miles passed Red's. After taking two hours off around lunch time, that is a big day. Most of that hike was a totally new section for us. Through the High Sierra we follow the John Muir Trail, but there is about 14 miles where they split, and you have the choice to follow the JMT or the PCT. Since we had done the JMT section last time, we kept on the PCT, which gave us some great views, especially toward the end of the day.

The trails reconnect at Thousand Island Lake, which is where we set up camp and finished one of the longest days we've hiked yet.

Total Miles:922.6
Miles Today:26.8
Camp 54:Thousand Island Lake

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