Stats

Start: Johnston Lake – Mile 910.5
End: Tent site before Donahue Pass – Mile 926.5
Elevation Max: 10,137
Elevation Min: 8,127
Elevation Change: 4,663 up & 3,804 down
Average Heart Rate: 130
Walking Time: 6 hrs 23 minutes
Date: 6/5/2022

The Walk

I woke up to pattering on my tent. The mist was still coming down. With a few raindrops. I checked outside and it was super overcast. The sun didn’t have a chance to start shining.

That made for a lazy morning. I had a bar of service, so I was able to relax and catch up on some internet things. Around 8:30 the rain didn’t seem to be picking up so I decided to head out.

We weren’t doing any passes. Just planning to get close to Donahue Pass. The morning walk was through overcast forest, hoping over creeks and walking over logs. The snow was melting. Doing the Sierras a few weeks apart would be a completely different experience.

I’m happy with the timing we had. I got to experience the snow, didn’t posthole too much and didn’t have many sketchy sections where I thought I could fall and hurt myself. We were walking on the JMT section. And passed by a few lakes.

I stopped at one for lunch. And found a good rock as a backrest. It chilly so we didn’t break too long. I had to put on my puffy when the body heat from hiking wore off.

After lunch was more dodging puddles and creek crossings than anything else. The sun was battling the clouds, but the clouds were winning.

We climbed toward Donahue Pass and mountain tops came into view. They were shrouded in clouds.

I’m the afternoon we passed Garnett lakes, the first of two lakes. I got off trail at one point it was mostly snow all around. And started making my way down the mountainside. I knew I was off trail, but didn’t really care. I could see where the trail crossed the lake and knew I just had to get down.

So I spent a half mile finding the best way down the mountain. Skidding down snowy descents, jumping over creeks, and climbing down loose rocks. It was a fun detour.

The next lake was much simpler. Thousand island lake. I didn’t have a great view until we passed it and started climbing up thousand island pass, then the view back was great.

I chatted to a few JMT soon hikers. They were all just starting out. About 50 miles into their trip. It was cool to see their excitement and awe at the beauty around.

I walked the last few miles and camped about 3 miles from Donahue pass. That would make for an easy morning over the pass and set us up well. Tomorrow we’ll try to get into Yosemite and pick up permits. Hopefully it will warm up a bit!