JULY 1997
by Barry

After lunch at the top of the pass we proceeded down some rough granite stairs toward Crabtree Meadow. This rough trail gave us the first hints of what our knees and feet were in for over the remainder of the trip.

Having descended the staircase we were among the streams of the Meadow. We took advantage of the situation to bathe our battered feet in the cool mountain water and to fill our water bottles for the hike ahead. Great care was taken to avoid filling bottles downstream from the soaking feet. After a short snack and some rest, we proceeded on what we thought would be a comfortable hike for the remainder of the way to Guitar Lake.

Where are we? Unfortunately, quite far from our campsite for tonight.

Near Crabtree Meadows we encountered many deer and marmots near the trail ( marmot not shown, deer not actual size ).

We proceeded to climb out of the valley on a stair step of meadows separated by uphill trail. As usual. Tom jetted ahead, Berris and Phil took up the rear with Barry and Cesar some where in the middle. Phil and Berris seemed to be constantly slowing as the miles took there toll. Cesar and Barry proceeded at a moderate pace until reaching Timberline Lake. At this point both of them were suffering from the altitude and miles. They deceived themselves into believing that Timberline Lake was Guitar Lake until their fantasy was rudely shattered by a Forest Service sign. Their spirit was broken. They would spend the rest of the day slogging out the remaining few miles to Guitar Lake.

Barry and Cesar arrived at Guitar Lake a half hour and forty five minutes, respectively behind Tom. After guidance by a troop of Boy Scouts they were each told, in turn, that Tom was waiting on the other side of the lake. Having met at the far side of the lake, Tom, Cesar and Barry sat wondering when/if Berris and Phil would arrive before sunset. Tom, showing no signs of fatigue, bounded over the next two ridges to secure a camp site. Cesar and Barry waited impatiently for Berris and Phil to show. A time limit was set for 6:00 PM at which point they would continue on to find Tom. At 5:58 Phil was sighted coming over the trail into the Guitar Lake basin, Berris, being somewhat shorter than Phil, was sighted soon afterwards. Upon meeting up with Cesar and Barry, Berris and Phil were informed that Tom was up the trail. The valley resounded with expletives.

At last the party moved on dragging their sorry butts over the ridge to Tom's camp site overlooking the lake.

Upon arriving at the camp site the tired hikers were greeted by a brave marmot that seemed very interested in their food. Cesar attempted to shoo the marmot away with some stones lobbed in the marmot's direction with little effect. The marmot clearly did not have any respect for Cesar's arm.

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