Tony drove me to Sonora Pass after we completed our Yosemite hike
Onward I go with a brave face. I had given up my PCT trip but decided I ought to continue, and in order to enjoy the trip I bid good-bye to the High Sierras and returned here where things would hopefully be kinder and gentler. And what a welcome back it would be!
My tears dried quickly at this amazing landscape.
Flowers bloomed everywhere at their peak of perfection.
I walked through gardens more abundant than the best man-made ones.
I was promised an exciting volcanic landscape just past Highway 4. I was not disappointed.
I thought this looked a little like the Taj Mahal.
This was called "the dome" in the guide book. I made a special effort to go see it at the end of the day as suggested, hiking 27 miles to get here. 27 soon became a typical day.
The dome and the surrounding crags were actually more impressive in the golden early morning light. I couldn't snap a photo of the dome in the morning because I camped right beneath it and the view was obscured by trees.
Mountain penstemon, or showy penstemon. I'm never sure which is which. It contrasted nicely with the orange lichen.
Wild irises!
This is what life is all about. Resting in a meadow of wild irises after climbing that mountain pass in the background. I'm not sure exactly where we crossed, but it was Carson Pass.
The mountain was clearer in the morning after the smoky haze from the day before had dissipated a little.
Pickles and Gator checking out a cabin near the PCT
Mountain bikes are not allowed on the PCT, but this may have been the Tahoe Rim trail where they are allowed. Nevertheless, I saw lots of vandalized no bikes signs and lots of mountain bike tracks on the PCT.
Tiger lilies!
