July 28

Kathy drove us to Mammoth Lakes where we stayed at the Westin Monache. A last bit of comfort, and more Kathy’s speed for mountain accommodations! This got us closer to the ranger station south of Mammoth Lakes down Highway 395 in Lone Pine where I had to register and pick up my permit the next day, before driving up to the trailhead at Horseshoe Meadows. The added plus was that at nearly 8,000’ elevation, my acclimation would start. And the drive over Tioga Pass Road through Yosemite’s Tuolumne Meadows where I’d be 2 weeks hence gave me a chance to see snow levels and trail conditions which were all positive. We stopped at the just opened Tuolumne Meadows store which I scoped out for future reference. Then down to Highway 395 at Mono Lake and south to Mammoth Lakes. Dinner and beer at Mammoth Brewing Company was my last chance for a brew until my resupply!