The first half of the morning was easy hiking. The trail drops downhill parallel with Fish Creek - a rushing stream that drops precipitously down a narrow gorge of dark meta-sedimentary rock. Unlike the hard granite of most of the Sierras, this rock is softer, and the creek, earthquakes, and weather has ground it and blasted it into sharp spires and slabs.
Dad and Libby in front of Fish Creek.http://flickr.com/photos/rowleypics/2734573234/in/set-72157606548076630/
The trail eventually reaches Horse Heaven meadow. Here, the trail flattens out a bit, and you and the creek descend at a more gentle pace down into Tully Hole. Tully Hole is a meadow in a deep depression between forested hills. It features large in our family lore because of its central location in the back country behind my grandparents' cabin. So it's sort of an iconic place, and its lush green fields are beautiful enough to warrant the attention paid it. Many travelers pass through it because the Muir Trail passes through it as it comes down from Virginia Lake and turns down Fish Creek a little bit before climbing over Silver Pass.
Tully Hole from the trail up to Virginia Lake.http://flickr.com/photos/rowleypics/2734578600/in/set-72157606548076630/
From Tully Hole, there's a steep climb that takes you up about 1,000 vertical feet of switchbacks on a hot and open hillside covered in sage and only the occasional stand of pines - welcome islands of shade, and an opportune place to catch your breath and a drink before pressing onward. Anyway, we grunted our way up and finished the hike before lunch, which we had on the shore of Virginia Lake before hunting out a campsite. We found a spot near a stock camp in the dry subalpine forests that surround Virginia Lake. We had lots of time, so we set up camp and relaxed. We soaked our feet in the lake, took naps, read books, and generally enjoyed a warm afternoon in the Sierras - with blessed few mosquitoes compared to Tully Lake!
Libby's happy to take a moment to relax!http://flickr.com/photos/rowleypics/2733753639/in/set-72157606548076630/
That night was our last away from home, and Dad and I sat by the shore of Virginia Lake waiting for it to get dark. As the stars came out and the opposite side of the lake became shrouded with gloom, we sat silently, listening to the bats flicking about our heads. The wind died and the lake became totally calm; the reflecting stars on its glassy surface were a welcome last taste of serenity before returning to the bustle of regular life.
Pictures from the day (including a nice one of a Clark's Nutcracker) can be found by clicking here: Backpack Day 5.
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