TRT Mile 107.5 to 128
The morning spares us additional rain, but leaves us again packing soaking wet gear. After a quick breakfast, we stroll through miles of wildflowers, which vary from knee high to slightly over the shoulder.
The terrain turns rocky and drier. For lunch we target a guidebook identified reliable stream. We refill water, and spread out gear to dry. While Kevin works on his blisters, I search for a private place to dig a cat hole. What I discover, however, feels more like a crime scene. I find an empty Garcia bear canister, a fuel cannister, a swiss-like army knife with spoon and fork attachments, 2 pairs of Exofficio underwear, and a ripped open Mountain House meal pack. Very strange. I snap a picture and hope my phone will not become part of the state’s evidence.
Crime scene?
We push on towards the highway and Echo Lake. At the Echo Chalet we indulge in hand scooped milkshakes, including mango, mango with peaches, and vanilla malt.
There is no public water available at the Echo marina, so Daniel finds a place to capture and filter water from the lake spillway. We do our best to ignore how disgusting the water appears just above it. Our 21.5 mile day is not getting any shorter, so we press on towards Aloha Lake.
Echo Lake milkshakes
The trail is annoyingly rocky but flat along and above the shore of Echo Lake. This is a no camping zone, which makes sense as we hike past lot after lot of water only accessible cabins and homes.
After the water taxi trail split, our path steepens and becomes even more rocky. Kevin is struggling with hip pain. His stretches and twists release incredible cracking and pops, but no actual pain relief. Advil and will power are all we have to get him to the summit.
The trek from the summit to the lake is longer than expected. We arrive at 8:00pm, barely beating the settings sun. We pitch tents and make bean burritos in the dark.
Tomorrow will be a much shorter day, only about 12 miles. We hope to have time to relax and enjoy the plentiful alpine lakes.
Aloha Lake