Mile 906.5. - 923.1

Sizzler, Balance, and I left our motel in Mammoth around 6:45am to catch a bus to Red Meadows where we left off. By the time we got hiking it was well after 9am so we weren't planning on a huge day. We hiked to an area called Devils Postpile, which is a basalt lava flow made into hexagon formations. 

The PCT and the JMT split today for around 14 miles. We decided on taking the JMT side because it went along a few beautiful lakes and the PCT went high on a ridge. The JMT side was a difficult hike with many ups and downs but well worth it in the end. 

We ended the day at one of the more amazing lakes we have seen, called Thousand island Lake. This is also where the PCT and the JMT merge together again for about 20 more miles. The JMT ends in Yosemite Valley and the PCT keeps going north.

Devils Postpile in the Inyo National Forest.

Balance making progress on the 14 mile JMT alternate route which brought us by beautiful mountains and lakes.

Y-Knot overlooking Garnet Lake.

Thousand Island Lake.

Balance and Y-Knot taking a break and enjoying the views from Thousand Island Lake.

The incredible Banner Peak. We camped here tonight with our friend Sizzler. One of the best places we have camped yet on this trip.

The other view away from Banner Peak. Balance getting ready for the night. For a short time the mosquitoes were really bad and we had to eat dinner in our tent. It's a big no no to eat and cook in our tent but we really had no choice - the mosquitoes were that bad. We cleaned up and hid the bear canisters and are going to sleep.