Day 41. Part 2. April 10. Mile 534.7 (Mormon Lake access) to Mile 556.0

Continued from Day 41, part 1. 

Day 41. Part 2. Monday April 10. Mile 534.7 (Mormon Lake access), elevation 7538, to Mile 556.0, elevation  7210. Walked 21.3 on trail plus 2 off trail from Mormon Lake (plus 1 Mile extra when I missed a trail marker). For on-trail miles, walked 1261 ft up, 1589 ft down, total grade 133.5 ft/mile. 

 I don't have a lot more to say. I want to show you some trees because they are such presences here. I feel so blessed to walk among them and understand why some religions once (maybe still do?) worshipped trees. The trees are great any time (photo 5) but when the sun comes out (photo 6) they truly shine. 

 

 

 Then I saw this very cool little bug walking the very same trail I was. He wasn't that thrilled about having me take his photo but I needed to share him with you. Sorry he's blurry. He was in a hurry to get out of the photo. But isn't his color amazing?

 

So in spite of the happiest day yet on the trail, I did get pretty tired, especially after I walked a half mile off trail and had to walk back. I got worried again because of the very rocky terrain whether I'd find a place for my tent. So even though it's too many photos for one post (the uploading seems to get indigestion) I cannot resist. Photo 8 is the place I found to pitch my tent, viewed from a log where I sat to eat my supper. You can see my tiny tent and the orange pack beside it. 

 

Then photo 9 is the moonrise I saw from that same log (only I zoomed in a little). 

 

And photo 10 is the moonrise when I walked near the tent to see it. (Zoomed again donuts blurry - sorry. But beautiful even though blurry don't you agree?)

 

 

So then I turned to look the other way where the sun was setting and took photo 11. 

 

 As if the whole world were celebrating my best day yet on the trail - my orgy of gratitude - with color and light. 

Thank you so much for walking this beautiful day with me.