What a spot! Thanks for all of the help!! I wish I brought my camera now (it was one of the last items that didn't make the final cut because of my tent weight
) I have to say, it was a neat experience going alone. With all the anxiety I started feeling, I was surprised at how quickly it started going away.
Day 1
I got to the trailhead Thursday night around 1am and slept in the truck. I think that helped tremendously. I had been drinking a gallon of water a day for the previous ten days to try and get hydrated, but I think getting up there the night before really helped. I hit the trailhead about 8am, a little later than I wanted but figured I'd travel at about 70% of how I felt and see how far I could get. Didn't fish at all on the way up, just wanted to make good time. I got to the junction with the JMT at 3hrs15min. Stopped for 45min lunch by the creek. Then trucked up to the Seven Gables junction. Passed a couple coming out of Sandpiper and a solo making a loop out of Florence Lake. Got to the Seven Gables turnoff at 1:30pm (10.8miles) and felt surprisingly well, so I headed up. I committed to setting up camp by 4pm no matter where I was. This trail gave me a little anxiety because it was a little harder to follow and I really didn't have any distance markers to gauge how fast/far I was going. I was surprised at how often the trail left the creek (kind of disappointing, I agree). Still magnificent though. Got to Stub Lake and it was 4pm so I stuck with my plan and pitched up (too bad, it wasn't too much farther). After setting up, I fished a little before dinner and bagged my first golden, thanks everyone. I do believe it is my favorite Sierra trout. They are much more cagy than the other species I think. Amazing colors.
Day 2
Day hiked through the basin and really missed my camera. I need a solo tent for sure now.
Day 3
Left camp around 840am and found the trail much easier to follow coming out. Fished as much of the creek as I could and just planned not to stop for lunch. I wanted to hit the truck by 5. Thought I might be able to accomplish the Sierra Slam in one day after I caught my first brookie of the day. I know there are browns and rainbows in there as well. Unfortunately though, I stuck to my plan of time and left that adventure for another day. (Something to look forward to
) Made it to the truck at 502pm and completed my first solo.
Some of my takeaways:
ANXIETY: I was surprised at how the nervousness seemed to fade with time. Especially at night.
FIRE: I used to need a fire, some form of comfort. This trip, I thought about it differently, a fire would be work. First, I'd had to stop a lot lower (which means less fish time, colder nights). Gather wood, then I'd have to properly douse it, all time consuming. Also, I hear they attract the critters. I didn't even remotely consider it.
IPOD: I used to hike about 40% of the time with music, especially up the passes. I only used it at night to help go to sleep. I never once used it on the trail. Don't know why, either I wanted to be more alert, or maybe just be more with my self.
STEPS: I noticed I was a lot more careful where I put my feet. At first it was a subconscious thing, until I noticed it. I used to just go.
PACE: Thanks to Shane who is the director of TrailCrew, I think 70% is my new mantra. I had energy and pace for days.
LOCATION: One of my favorites. I'd also like to spend a few days exploring the valley along the JMT there. What a neat area. I found my first whole arrowhead along Bear Creek last year and would love to explore that area more.
Thanks again for all of your help. I am so pumped for next year!