Short note: This is a last minute decision and also my first ever solo thru-hike! There was a single opening slot for this loop and the dates was perfect so I signed up and paid for the permit. I wanted to take it easy so I had chosen 4 nights/5 days hike. Now what? I only had one week to train! I threw everything in my backpack to feel the weight and headed to Mtn Baldy to start training. I trained my JMT thru-hike using this Old Mount Baldy Trail since this trail is close to home. The trail is over 13 miles and close to 6000ft so I always felt like I had a good workout. Was I so wrong! My running legs were not the same as my hiking legs. They did not like neither the weight of my backpack nor the elevation gain. Anyway, I decided to drive up to Bishop, camped there overnight and ready for my next morning early thru-hike.

Date 1 - 08/23/2021: I took easy on my first day as I gave myself enough time to get back my hiking legs. It did not happen until my third day and I did change my hiking plan. This was when I felt like I could hike all day long....

Date 2 - 08/24/2021: Piute trail merged with JMT/PCT trail. At first, I could not remembered trail at all although I hike the entire JMT three years ago. The highlight of this second day is discovering "Muir" rock. I missed this rock last time and I was glad that someone pointed out to me!

Date 3 - 08/25/2021: Initially, I planned to camp at Wanda Lake (named after John Muir's daughter). I knew this lake is above the three line and very exposed so I decided to change my plan. I got my hiking leg so I decided to hike on and find a good campground after Muir Pass (11,955ft). Monster Rock campground it was! I loved this campground!

Date 4 - 08/26/2021: CA drought! I was shocked to see how dried it was at Dusy Basin. I decided to move on and hiked over Bishop pass and hopefully would get a good campground near one of the lakes. By the time, I got down near Long Lake and I still had enough time to catch a transit @ 4:45pm so I decided to exit the trail at South Lake to get back to my car.

Final thought: At least one per year, I took a long hike somewhere to enjoy the mother nature and tranquility. I need this short thru-hike after a long of year of lock down. As always, I enjoyed the hike and view in Eastern Sierra but the most rewarding part of the trip was always meeting and had a good conversation with other people on the trail.

View looking toward Le Conte Canyon...

My second time at Muir Hut in 3 years! I did not expect to be back here this soon...

McClure Meadow!

I did stop by at "monster rock" when I did John Muir in 2018. I told myself if i had an opportunity to camp here, I will. I did not know I came back here this soon and I was able to camp here. The campground is clean and it is next to the water stream. I highly recommended. I got eaten by monster rock for a second time!

Dusy Basin as I was heading to Bishop Pass (11,972ft)

Bishop pass (11,972ft) looking down toward Bishop Lake

The main reason why I loved to hike very early morning because I always encountered wildlife and the tranquility of the trail!