Seven miles into Red's Meadow this morning. On the way passed a PCTA trail crew made up of mostly octogenarian volunteers on mules. Also scared a young boy and his dad by warning them of the Trail Gorilla lurking in the bushes just up the trail a few hundred yards. Too funny!
Caught the shuttle just as I arrived at Red's Meadow store with no time to spare. Next stop was Devil's Postpile to pick up a few tourists, then on to the Mammoth Discovery Center. Throngs awaited our arrival. I can't say I've seen more people in one spot since Disneyland or maybe Yosemite Valley.
Accommodations are almost nonexistent in town. PCTers said they were stealth camping behind McDonalds, in the trees across from the Brewery, in the forest a short distance from Shady Rest Campground in town, or anywhere they could.
I met a nice couple from Truckee at Mammoth Brewing who kidnapped me and drove their Vanagon into the forest near Inyo Craters where we camped among the pines. Their dog, a beautiful and incredibly well behaved Malamute kept watch all night.
Scary trail tree waiting to gobble up hikers.
Trail crew and dog.
Trail Gorilla.
Sea of germs obscuring the trail in a burn area.
Park Ranger looking to stay out of the limelight and also looking a bit worn out by the crowd.
Hikingsolo
Hope you find a big hot dog, baked beans, potato salad, strawberry shortcake and a beer! Happy July 4th.
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