Distance: 11 miles (approx. 17.7 km)
I woke up this morning to find the world transformed into a blanket of white. About an inch of snow had accumulated overnight, covering my tent completely. Since I’m hiking the Sierra during the shoulder season as September draws to a close, I knew snow was a possibility, but seeing it firsthand certainly sharpened my senses.
Despite the biting cold, I managed to pack up and made a quick stop back at MTR before truly setting off. I was looking for—and luckily found—some moisture lotion in the hiker donation buckets. The cracks on my fingers had become so severe that even simple tasks were becoming painful. In a place like this, such small “blessings” make a world of difference.
I left MTR around 9:30 a.m. As expected, the snow was only a temporary visitor from the night before and melted rapidly under the daytime sun. Nevertheless, the air remained frigid all day, and I kept my shell on for the duration of the hike.
A few miles past MTR, I finally crossed into Kings Canyon National Park. The scenery along the San Joaquin River was stunning, with patches of autumn colors already beginning to flare up against the rugged landscape.
Despite the 47-pound weight on my back, I didn’t feel as exhausted as I had feared. Perhaps the soak in the hot springs yesterday truly did the trick, as the fatigue in my legs felt remarkably diminished.
As I pushed further into Kings Canyon, I noticed my mood lifting. The mental slump I’d felt previously seemed to vanish, replaced by a growing sense of excitement. By the time I reached Evolution Valley in the evening, I was struck by its sheer beauty.
However, the temperature plummeted as dusk fell. It was so cold that I didn’t even have the energy for my usual yoga session. Instead, I settled for a warm dinner, wrote in my journal, and crawled into my sleeping bag. I am back on the trail, heavy-laden but spiritually light.
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