Day 116 Marble Mtn to Grider Creek

Day 116 Marble Mtn to Grider Creek
25.15 miles
From Marble Mountain Trail Campground (mile 1627, elevation 6551)
To Grider Creek Campground (mile 1651, elevation 1744)
Upload 2559
Descend 7318

I left camp before 6:00 am, picked up water a mile or two into the hike, and had breakfast around mile three. Knowing that there were alternative hangouts in Ashland that Becky knew about and found acceptable made things much easier for me mentally. I had motivation to get moving instead of just giving up on meeting her.

sunrise photo

Marble Mtn early morning

The air was calm enough that the first two ponds I passed were like mirrors, beautifully reflecting the hills behind them.

It was not just the ponds, but also many of the early landscapes that I was enjoying. The hills were green and covered with flowers. The marble rock outcrops were fascinating. And the marble mountains themselves were ruggedly beautiful.

I’m really enjoying the scenery today. It’s not just an excuse to stop and photograph, explore or eat.

reflective lake

The descent to Grider Creek was one of the most difficult. There were many large fallen trees on the other side of the trail. On one hand, I reached up and placed my hiking poles on top of the tree before stepping over the tree as if I were rock climbing. I was later told that this was a beautiful old forest before a storm knocked down so many trees.

Lunch spot just before descending to Grider Crk.

Today I couldn’t make it to Saied Valley. So I stopped six miles early at the last campsite. My body felt like it could keep going, but I would have been left without light. Besides, I wasn’t going to get there before the store and cafe closed, so why rush things? I will arrive there early in the morning.

When I arrived I found blackberries in the camp. They delayed my water collection while I continued to find ripe water to eat.

My camp (my tent was right in front of the bushes)

Sierra Lechera

I feel like I’m seeing a lot more serpentinite again.

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