Day 77 – Benson and Rancheria Creeks

From Trail Camp before Smedberg Lake (Mile 969.7, UND 9486)
To follow the Thompson Canyon camp (Mile 984.4, a wire 8096)
Climb 3846
DESCENDA 5240

From yesterday’s point of view, it was difficult to see how the voluntary peak could be easily uploaded. But, when it is closer to him, it is easier to see how someone could upload the cirado section near the bottom.

I also went through the Smedberg lake and leaked water from a small stream that fed the lake.

Smedberg Lake

Creek that leads to Smedberg, where I got water

I was mostly only today. And I felt tired. I do not believe that the meals that I obtained from the Tuolumne Meadows hikers are nutritionally as dense as mine. And I walked until 6:30 pm yesterday, without sleep until 10:00. That was two nights often with a late bed. Without the calories, and with all the ups and downs of today, I was dragging.

I saw a hiker leaving Smedberg. I also saw a urogal at the same time. Neither seemed annoying for my presence. The hiker took aside and we talked for a minute on the next path. The Urogallo was still making his call, walking a few steps and then repeating.

Complaint

I have twice before walking through Rancheria Creek, although different sections. Nine years ago, I directed a group of explorers on a backpacking trip that covered Rancheria Creek above. Then, a few years ago, I also walked much closer to the Hetch Hetchy reservoir. So, today it would be an opportunity to see it «in the middle.»

When I arrived in Rancheria Creek, I had lunch before us. I also made sure I had eaten more than usual. My refueling should have covered five days, buying a couple of days in Kennedy Meadows North to fill the void towards South Lake Tahoe. But I can eat more of the food I have, I have more than enough to get to Kennedy Meadows North, and simply buy a little more there. He felt good not to ration the food so much. I also felt much better in the afternoon.

Looking back on the other side of the valley where I had been

My lunch place along Rancheria Creek

Rancheria Creek

After visiting Lake Benson on a previous trip, I jumped and instead began the climb to Seavey Pass.

The path near the top of Seavey

One of Seavey’s lakes

Around 5:00 pm, I started looking for a camp, so I could go to bed more easily before. I found a couple, put my package and wandered for a couple of minutes. I found two more that I liked more. Finally I decided on one where I put my store between a couple of rocks that formed the crest with enough flat soul between them. From there, I can look up and down of the valley.

Campaign site

I did the same type of things at dinner as for lunch. I made larger portions and ate more things. I hope it helps my legs tomorrow. I also had cold breakfast and prepared things prepared for lunch.

It seems that he was not being able to get to Sonora Pass (K Meadows North) tomorrow. I would have required two days of 24 miles with almost 5000 feet of climbing every day. Given how my legs felt this morning, I was pleased to cover 17 miles today.

Corn lily