June 19

6/19

17 miles (mile 811 to 828, a campsite along the middle fork of the kings river)

Today was an incredibly beautiful day. We climbed up Mather pass which has been the easiest pass so far. The slope was gradual allowing me to keep ahold of my breath. We descended down to the Palisade lakes, two long skinny lakes in a granite canyon. They were stunning. Clay hiked ahead and I met him at the lake as he fished. We took a long break eating lunch, swimming, and soaking the in view. By swimming I mean quickly jumping in the water, emerging while screaming, and exiting the lake as quickly as possible. Everyone was getting in and thoroughly enjoying themselves. Before we left someone we know walked by, clays sisters friend Katie who is hiking the john muir trail. It's so awesome to run into people you know in the middle of the wilderness. The day ended with miles of steep downhill through a large river canyon and a bit of up, the start of our climb to muir pass tomorrow.