July 29: Elk Lake

We walked a fast, early 17 miles this morning to arrive at the Elk Lake Resort by 1:30 pm. The sun is high and hot in the sky; clouds dapple the horizon. Early on we passed two northbounders who had come all the way through the Sierras. The first, Tatoo Joe, had the dime-a-dozen disposition to stop and tell how many miles he's been doing, when he expects to hit the border, etc. I was impressed, however, with his claim to have lost 70 pounds so far on the trail this summer. The second hiker, Eric, was much more endearing and we spent a few minutes talking with him, asking about the snow and the river crossings. His poles were bent and his hair bedraggled, but he had a big smile on his face.

We picked up another re-supply package generously sent out to us by my mother. Kindness certainly comes not only from strangers. Thanks so much to all of our wonderful families who have been helping us so much.

We are now sprawled out in the shade by the water's edge, goodies scattered about, water about to boil.

Elk Lake approximately marks the same distance south from the Canadian border that we were able to cover north from the Mexican border before flipping up to Vancouver ~745 miles.