Thursday, September 17, 2015

Benson Lake to Miller Lake


Thursday 9/17/2015 PCT mile 973 to mile 960, distance 13 miles


I woke up shortly after 4 am due to airplane noise. There were several jets within an hour. It seemed louder than usual, maybe the shorter distance due to the elevation or the towering mountains surrounding the lake acting as an amplifier. Whatever the reason I couldn't sleep anymore so after a while I got up, packed up and was on my way before sunrise. Looking back after a while I had a nice view of Benson Lake with the mountains already painted in light. 


My goal was to have breakfast somewhere where the sun is already out and I found a nice spot less than two hours later. 

At lunchtime I reached Smedberg Lake. Just as the lake came into view I met three girls who had camped there and were now on their way towards Benson Lake. They were in the middle of an eight day hike. I should have asked to take a picture, they all had matching colorful sunglasses and freshly applied sunscreen on their faces. They were hiking at some distance between each other though and I didn't even see the last person by the time the first left.


The good thing was that I had Smedberg Lake now for myself, I washed (it was really time!), had a swim and lunch.

As I continued toward Benson Pass the views got better and better. 




With all these breaks I felt I didn't get a lot of miles in even though I was up so early. I was pushing myself a little because I wanted to be at Tuolumne Meadows Friday afternoon to get permits for the weekend trip with Susi in Yosemite. 

Maybe that's why my right knee started to hurt. Strange, usually it's the left one. It's funny, thinking of it over the last week each each day something had hurt and the next day it was fine a something else started. Which is actually much preferable to having the same thing everyday because then you know it's real. I took my first Ibuprofen on this trip and as of this evening all parts seemed to be in working order. 

I met a couple before I got to Miller Lake, they also moved on quickly even so I was not as smelly as I was this morning when I met the first group. 


Once arrived I had Miller Lake all for myself, had another swim and enjoyed the quiet and peaceful view. 




In the evening the lake was so still so that one could see the reflection of the moon. 


Trailhead 

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