On February 12-15, 1985 with Jim White, John Bullock and John's fried I snowshoes up North Fork Big Pine Creek in the John Muir Wilderness on a 16 mile round trip.
John Bullock and friend drove over from Lompoc Wednesday evening and we picked up Jim in Independence Thursday morning about 8 a.m. and drove to Glacier Lodge where we hit the trail about 9 a.m. There was enough snow for snowshoes (John was on skies) as we hiked up the road.
It was a nice day and snow conditions were just right - well consolidated. We arrived at the Lon Chaney cabin about noon or so and had lunch. Guess I got there more like 1 p.m. We continued on to a high spot near the outlet of First Lake to camp - about 5 p.m.
Next morning I wasn't feeling to great - had a bad sinus headache - so we took it easy after a late start - about 11 a.m. (John and friend had charged off about 8:30 or so.) We made camp at the trail junction leading off to Sam Mack Meadow.
Got a little snow that night and my back was giving me fits. Guess my cold had settled into muscles in lower back. We laid around all morning and finally went for a short hike after lunch. We hiked up to Fourth Lake, across Fourth lake and up to a ridge above Fifth Lake where we found John and friend camped out. John was off skiing but soon returned. Jim and I returned to camp about 5 p.m. and fixed supper.
In the morning my back was really bad. John and friend headed off to explore the Glacier while Jim and I decided I had better see if I could walk out or what. I started out with full pack but soon gave my sleeping bag to Jim. That made the going pretty good for me and we arrived near the first night's camp about lunch time.
After lunch and a rest I felt much better and the going got easier so I made it okay. Jim went ahead and waited for me at the Lon Chaney cabin. When I arrived we continued on. A number of other people were or had been on the trail and the part near the second falls was punched full of holes and very hard walking but I was doing okay.
I finally arrived at the car about 6 p.m. as it got dark and much relieved Jim who was beginning to worry about me. We drove to Lone Pine for the night and returned Sunday to pickup John and friend at Glacier Lodge. We had beautiful weather - never really got very cold. I enjoyed the trip in spite of my problems but sure would have enjoyed it more in good health. Took me several weeks to get over the bug.
Big Pine Creek to ridge above Fifth Lake 1981
