Day 31: Dick's Pass and Dick's Lake

What a morning! We sat alongside Aloha Lake this morning enjoying a breakfast of bagels and almond butter. My stomach has had enough of the peanut butter so when Replay's keen eye spotted the new spread in the grocery store I jumped at the chance. Lately my stomach has been acting up. I'm not sure if it is the double cliff bars, the excessive amount of peanut butter, or the foods high in "added" fiber everyday, but something is just not right with my digestive system. It is sad to say, but getting off the trail might be good for inner health.

We still have 1 more day on the trail and I'm ready to enjoy every last minute of it. After our leisurely morning, we said our goodbyes to Aloha Lake and started off at a pretty quick trot. Just around the bend from our campsite was a pack of PCT boys. 5 dollar, Strider, Oz, Whiskey Jet and Waffle were lazily getting ready for the day. It was about 8:30 and most of them were still not out of their tents. It is almost seems like they are throwing a party every night on the trail! I guess people live it up on the trail in different ways. We did not stay long to chat, but kept up our quick pace.

The path through Desolation Wilderness is incredible. Wild flowers are abundant in pinks, purples, reds and yellows. The trail is mostly alongside of cliffs and does not wind through the trees like the last section before Lake Tahoe. The views over the Valley are simply breath taking. We can see peaks and crags of neighboring mountains for miles on end. At the top of Dick's Peak there was a small spring that refilled my empty water bottle giving me an excuse to stretch my calf muscles that had tightened on the climb.

At the top of the climb there was also a pile of snow! It amazes me that it is now August and I'm still finding snow on the trail. I have so much respect for those PCT hikers who set out early this year. They must have encountered much more snow and ice than I am now. How they knew where the trail went in those conditions is still a mystery to me. The snow covered trail confused Replay and I more than once and caused moments of incredible frustration! This snow patch was nothing like that- thank goodness!

9.6 miles down and Replay and I were lounging on the boulders that bordered Dick's Lake. Since we had both booked it down the mountain after crossing Dick's Peak we decided to nap in the sun. Looking at my tan lines I really needed the sun bathing. I have a lovely white strip under my knee from my Patella Band and the spandex short line isn't too becoming either! Bring on the Sun!

The rest of the day flew by in a flash except for the last 2 miles. All of the sudden my stomach cramped up and things went from bad to worse. Thankfully Replay noticed my uncomfortable state and suggested we stop for the night. The pack of 5 boys also decided to camp with us. What a crew for the last night on the trail!