I have some old history with Lone Pine from many years ago. Being back here is like tugging on a historical thread and seeing how the past moves. Some of the specific places that are sharp in my memory–the Mobil Mart gas station which used to be a Chevron, the motel across the street with the two story addition in back–are still here, and paid small visits to them. I remember sitting with my back against the gas station’s cobbled wall for a few hours, not having any idea how long I would be there. Unmoored in time.
There is much about a rest day that feels like waiting too, but in this case for an obvious end: out of town, back on the trail. Which is not to say the waiting is unpleasant. On the contrary, it’s downright luxurious as long as the town tasks aren’t too onerous. Mine weren’t. Most were done relatively quickly. I had some work-related tasks that I tended to. I ate oversized meals. I talked to beloved husband Dan and beloved mother Pam.
Tomorrow I’ll hitch a ride back in, along that steep and winding road up to Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead. For the next three or four days I will follow trails, and be relieved of the challenges of cross country travel, as I head west to Lodgepole, which is a campground and store on the western side of Sequoia National Park. I pick up a resupply package there and then begin the Kings Canyon High Basin Route, following this last, 124 mile high route northeast, then west, then back south to finish my hike at Road’s End in King’s Canyon National Park. That’s many days from now still. Many more days in the range of light.
If I have internet access at Lodgepole, I’ll update the blog. But it’s possible there won’t be, in which case I’ll update again when I come out to Independence CA to resupply some five days later. So look for new posts in either around 4 days or 9 days.
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