Step Into Your Journey

Step Into Your Journey Offering organized hikes and backpacking adventures for women as they explore their unique badassery

09/05/2026

2026 NOBO JMT Day 26 Morning Update

09/04/2026

2026 NOBO JMT Day 25

Rosalie Lake to Thousand Island Lake

Had I quit yesterday, I would have missed one of my favorite days on trail.

I have arrived back into the land of granite with Alpine Lakes galore.

Yes there was climbing, and yes I was slow, but I enjoyed every bit of the day. Roaring creeks led to waterfalls a plenty. Butterflies and bumble bees worked fervently on the remaining wild flowers. I got buzzed by a hummingbird on one of my breaks and I spent a significant amount of time at each of the lakes I passed…. Just BEing.

Shadow Lake was a gorgeous turquoise green, Garnet Lake was huge, stopped only by the granite peaks surrounding it. It was a swirl of brilliant blue and turquoise green with “islands” scattered about. The trail twisted and turned down the mountain giving a different vantage point at each twist until finally I stood right on its shores. I was mesmerized. Next came the much smaller lakes ….. Ruby and Emerald… until finally arriving at Thousand Island Lake. Just as the name implies, it is dotted with tiny little islands.

To get to the camping side, I had to cross the outlet, which could be done rock hopping and in the shallow waters was the most vibrant neon green moss I’ve ever seen. It had a life of its own, in the moving water, and was absolutely intriguing.

Campsites at this lake are plentiful, but small. Being mostly granite, it was easy to tell cat-hole options for potty business were limited and at the first two sites I tried to put my tent I found “presents” left by fellow campers who were too dang lazy to bury their p**p and pack out their paper. Yup….. plopping a rock on top was their solution. The lake has “beaches” and with the strong winds the water was lapping at the edges like the ocean to the sand.

I found a place, tucked into a tree and spent the day napping and relaxing on rocks overlooking the lake. Peace.
I was told the sunsets here are spectacular….. I guess not today. As the sun disappeared, it got dark and cold. No fanfare. No brilliance. Just a quiet bookend to a lovely day. Maybe the sunrise will be better.

Tomorrow we enter Yosemite

Daily Stats:
Miles: 8.82
Ascent: 2254ft
Descent: 1765ft

Trip Total
Miles: 208.20
Ascent: 46409ft
Descent: 46246ft

09/04/2026

2026 NOBO JMT Day 25 Morning Update

09/03/2026

2026 NOBO JMT Morning Update

09/02/2026

2026 NOBO JMT Day 23

Reds Meadow Rest Day

It’s no secret I don’t generally do well with rest days, but today had some pretty special moments.

I slept in a little, waking around 6:30am with all the other backpackers heading out. I did have a leisurely tea (or maybe 2), and then set out to see the Devil’s PostPile National Monument which was a 20 min walk from camp. I got there early, before the crowds, and had the place to myself. There are just some things that make you scratch your head and go.. hmmmmm.

How on earth did those hexagon shaped pillars form? I was fascinated by the formation, and I’m sure there was a sign explaining it, but I was in a hurry to get back in time for pancakes. There was no way I was going to miss them twice. Those were some of the best pancakes I’ve ever had. Add this to a double order of bacon and you have an amazingly happy girl. The breakfast was pricey, but fantastic. Seriously!

I would later learn that (long story short) the Devil’s Postpile columns were formed by the particular way lava 100000 or so years ago cooled and were then excavated by glacial activity. They were at one time much higher, but earthquake activity has caused them to fall into the rubble pile below.

With my belly full, I took the shuttle on a 30ish minute ride to Mammoth, where I had to take a 2nd shuttle into “town”. The first stop was Mammoth Village so I got off. I found no “fresh brewed” iced tea, so I found a comfortable chair in the sun instead and started making calls. It was so very nice to chat with Rhianna on her birthday, Michael as he was running errands and Dad who was glad to hear my voice. Those conversations and connections fueled me.

I hung around till lunch time and enjoyed patio seating at a Mexican restaurant. A basket of chips, 3 iced teas, and enough good food to feed me for the day and I was a happy camper. That was enough “town” for me.
After again maneuvering the shuttle system I found myself back at Reds by 3. I relaxed, finished my 3rd book, and then headed up for another shower. At the main gathering area, I was thrilled to run into Katie again. I didn’t think our paths would cross so this was a pleasant surprise. After I showered, we enjoyed a milkshake together (my hiker dinner…. A food choice I would later regret) and then moved to the campground where we continued sharing hiking trip stories and ideas. She is from WA and has done some very interesting sounding treks……. Notes to self. This will likely be the last I see of her, for now. Hopefully our paths will cross again off trail, if even to just share journeys.

Tomorrow I start the final leg of this journey. Only 7 days and 57 miles left….. unbelievable

Daily Stats
JMT Miles: 0
Ascent: 0
Descent: 0

Trip Total
Miles: 190.18
Ascent: 41511ft
Descent: 43574ft

09/01/2026

2026 NOBO JMT Day 22 Morning Update

08/31/2026

2026 NOBO JMT Day 21 Morning Update

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Vacaville, CA

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