For most folks hiking the Sierras, you have to do at least one side hike out to get resupplied.   The stretch is too long to do in one go and many folks opt for the Kearsarge Pass route.   It is an 8 mile hike out to the Onion Valley Trailhead where we pray for a hitch.   

Fortunately, it is eclipse day and it turns out there is alot of traffic today.   

The Eclipse was starting to take out the sun.   Made it a little strange.  The sky was getting darker as the morning progressed. 

The climb up turned out to be easy.   Only 600 feet of vertical.   The descent down to the trail head took forever.   Going to be painful climbing back up this thing in a few days. 

On the way down I shot a lame picture of the eclipse. 

I hope somebody saw something interesting.   The clouds rolled in as the sun dimmed so there was little to see….just weird gloom. 

Alice is heading back home from Mammoth today and plans to meet me in Independence.   I spent most of the hike down trying to convince her to pick me up.   That turned out to be a failure.    I even picked some flowers to entice her…..

Once we reached the trailhead it only took 10 minutes to find a ride down.    The guy didn’t even want my flowers….so there. 

We checked into the hostel at the courthouse motel.   Great digs and good people.   Alice turned up a few hours later and brought us some food.   She says I look skinny.  🙂   I’m looking forward to getting this hike done and returning to my normal life.   Just a couple more weeks, Honey!!!!!!

Did 8 miles getting out today, but zero PCT miles.   I did, however, drink about 6 beers.   So that counts for something.