Day 159 - JMT Rosalie Lake

Sunrise over Garnet Lake was just as magnificent as the sunset. I rose early but then laid back down to nap that morning. We decided to spend the morning at Garnet as our reward for two heavy pack days.

By 10:30am we were bored and decided to push on south to Rosalie Lake. Someone took this great photo of us as we left.

As we were hiking up the hillside we were passed by a mule train carrying supplies for a luxury outing. Someone had joked that JMT was actually the John Mule Trail because of the heavy "evidence" of mules along its path. The mule droppings would later become reassuring-- proof we were still on the trail.

We stopped for lunch at a lovely forest waterfall before eventually finishing the short six mile hike to Rosalie Lake. We needed to average 12 miles a day, but this half day felt like a just reward. We could make up the time later. We found a secluded forest campsite at the far end of Rosalie.

We enjoyed a restful afternoon which I spent reading John Muir's account of his summer in the Sierra. Just before the sun began to set, Bob and I moved lakeside and took long, cold swims in the peaceful waters. "The trail is that way." I joked.

We had two giant bean burritos each for dinner, having to do dances of joy/discomfort to make room for the final burrito. We acted like fools. We acted like children. It was beautiful.

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Day 161 - JMT Purple Lake and Tully Hole

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