Spiller Creek to Twin Lakes

Looking back to Horse Creek Pass

The wind picked up and howled throughout the night. It continues now this morning. Our broken-zipper doors face directly into the wind, so our tents, and even sleeping bags, blow up like crazy clown balloons. Although very cold, it is a dry wind, for which we are very thankful. The moon, nearly full, was so bright last night it kept us up. No bother. We are up now, and today is moving day.

We pack, have our last wilderness breakfast, and begin to stroll up the gentle slope of Spiller Creek. It is deceptively simple, for beyond Horse Creek Pass, the 33rd and final pass, is a long nasty run of talus and scree. Kevin points out that it would not be the Sierra High Route without it. There are occasional social trails, which appear and disappear without explanation. I am ready for this to be over, but it is not.

Twin Lakes Marina

We begin thinking about Terri, my uber wife, Kevin’s uber mother, and at this important moment, our uber driver.  Will she be waiting for us, or will we be waiting for her?  Her track record from the PCT is good, but Kevin is not giving good odds on the over/under.

As we drop down Horse Creek, the talus begins to thin, and the trail begins to thicken. There are now trees and switchbacks. We begin to see more and more hikers.  A few people ask, “Where are you coming from?” It is too long a story. Besides, right now all we care about is: where we are going… to Twin Lakes, to cold drinks, to showers, to laundry, to pizza, and home.

This all started 20 days ago, in Kings Canyon, at a place called Road’s End. And now, as we reach the other End of the Road, we celebrate… and wait for our driver. About 20 minutes it turns out. We are sure glad to see her.

End of the Road Celebration