The Trek

Alarms went off in the shelter at 4am. Everyone needed to get down to S. Arm road for shuttles. My shuttle was not until 8:30, but I wanted zero risk of missing it. Four miles through Sawyer Notch completed my short nearo into “The Om Dome” hostel. Sawyer Notch was a steep climb. But after the arm and first of the morning, it did not seem so bad. Yukon, our host and shuttle driver arrived right on time. We stopped at Mills Market, where I had planned to resupply. Had. Past tense.

I woke up today at my usual 4:50am and did not want to hike the 17 miles that was planned. However, I diligently got up, did my business in the privy, and then ate a Pop Tart for breakfast. I laced up my trusted Altra Lone Peak 9+ and slid my pack onto my back. We hiked up a mountain. When we got to the summit, this was the reward for all of our hard work. We hiked down a mountain, stepped on some rocks, stepped on some roots, and stepped on some more rocks and roots.

7/14/26 16.8 miles; Hostel of Maine (again) Third time is a charm…I slack-packed again, for the 3rd time. My four other hiking peeps (Wind Walker, Gray Fox, Birdman & Pole Dancer) were going north to South, over the Bigelows (mountains), the last big peaks before Katahdin, or so we are told. I was in…I have been losing too much weight and needed an “easy” day. We got dropped off at East Flagstaff Road and proceeded south about 8:15am or so. It was raining, but not too bad.

When we get back on the trail from Mammoth Lakes we only have a couple days until we reach Tuolumne Meadows. Our first night is an easy jaunt – and we get to sleep at a campground with bear boxes and a pit toilet, what a treat! I eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for dinner while sitting at a picnic table. This is real hiker luxury. Our next day is spent hiking through beautiful meadows. We’re still surrounded by tall peaks with rushing waterfalls cascading down into the valleys below.

Day 51 – Kearsarge & Glen Pass Three days in Bishop can be summed up quite simply: the usual hiker chores—laundry, resupply, gear shopping—interrupted only by our nightly reunions at the local brewery. Three nights in a row, each with a different crowd and atmosphere. I moved to the Hotel California while waiting for my resupply box, which finally arrived on my very last day, just as I was about to give up. Proof, once again, that miracles happen not only on trail, but off trail too.

Drom and Birdman were up bright and early this morning. I got out of my tent to use the bathroom and get my bear can and both of them were already packed and ready to go. It definitely motivated me to get moving a little quicker this morning. I left maybe 30-40 minutes after them, but knowing I’m a slower hiker, I had no idea if or when I’d see them. It was another great day of unreal views. I was in much better spirits today.

With only 4 members of the tramily together, we were slowly learning how to function as a group. Sometimes we miscommunicated. Sometimes we got upset with one another. Always, we apologized. There were always more miles to hike and no matter what, we function as a team, which meant establishing loose roles. Hungry and Dutch Dragon planned our days on trail while PK and I were in charge of planning town days. Rumor had it there was a dinosaur in Glasgow.

This morning we watched some goats from the comfort of the barn, including the adventures of Tom Squirrel “mission impossible-ing” his way through the farm. It’s better than television. Small Axe Farms has a killer breakfast! I think it might be my favorite on trail so far. Everytime we stay at a hostel, we’re hiking out a little bit later. But luckily, the storm of yesterday blew the heat away, making for way more pleasant hiking.

This one has been an eye opener! It has been 5 years since my last long backpacking trip. And for that one, I. Was. READY! When my husband, Mike, and I trained for the Maah Daah Hey Trail, we spent months walking, hiking, packing, talking, and researching. I told people that, at 44, I was in the best shape of my life, and I could take on the world! When we ran into snags on that hike, I barely skipped a beat. Crazy wind? Tie my hat tighter and lean in. Water filter didn’t work in the clay water?

I woke up early this morning, likely because other people were hiking past our campsite just after dawn. I’m continuously amazed by people who wake up, pack their bags, and hit the trail all before the sun has risen. It’s definitely nice to get a jump start on the day, but I enjoy allowing my body to wake up naturally. And I naturally wake up well after the sun has. We entered New Jersey yesterday, and with it has come a string of restaurants that are accessible to the trail.