Day 69 - 1000 Miles!!!!

Yes sir...at just after 5.15 pm on Wednesday 29th June I reached the 1000 mile mark. A nice little milestone to tick off - now for Halfway!!

It was a long day today but it has set me up nicely for a 13 mile walk to Sonora Pass tomorrow & a hitch to Bridgeport for a resupply etc.
The day started with a tricky ford of Rancheria Creek. I avoided the chest high main crossing and went upstream where it was only crotch high at some faster water. Like yesterday with its countless fords, it was going to be a wet feet day!!!
We needed two climbs to 1) get out of Kerrick Canyon & 2) get out of Tablefield Canyon with one climb of 750 feet and one of 1200 feet. The afternoon was spent making the long haul from Wilma Lake

to Dorothy Lake Pass (at the end of the lake) where we left Yosemite NP.

The total climb of 1575 feet over 10 miles was a pleasant change with a walk up a river valley with a long gradient. In the drop down to our campsite we came upon fresh horse dung which reminded me that on the walk out of Tuolomne I came across a park ranger leading a pack of mules who had carried some workers & their gear on to a trail.
The other constant for the day (& the last two days) has been the bugs. Mosquitos have been attacking in swarms (it brought out my bug net) & gnats have been getting in to your ears/mouth/eyes every time you pass a meadow. The mosquitos have been a huge problem.
The day was made better by hiking with Beardoh & Sweet Pea - a perfect New Hampshire hiking couple who blend well together

Both Appalachian Trail veterans, Beardoh also completed the PCT in 2012 and is back doing it with his wife. My other campsite companions, Lid, XC, Proton, Goodwill & Dream Catcher all started in May so they travel quickly.....Weta