Day 9 - San Joaquin Watershed — Walking People Out of Poverty

Start Time 6:25 am

End Time 4:30 pm

Start Mileage 849.60

End Mileage 862.80

Distance Walked Miles 13.2

Elevation Gain Feet 2195

Elevation Loss 2087

Today we entered the San Joaquin Watershed after leaving the Kings River Watershed behind. The walking was enjoyable for the first part of the day and we had a 2 1/2 mile walk to breakfast which we were scheduled to have at Evolution Creek.

Our route took us down and through yet another beautiful forest and we were always accompanied by the rushing water of the river. We finally arrived at Evolution Creek but before we could eat, we needed to cross.

Woody and I had chatted with a hiker coming from the direction of the creek and he advised it was crossable in bare feet. The water was only just above the ankles so I took my shoes and socks off, which I secured to my backpack, and set off across the flowing river.

The water was lovely and cool and the crossing was most enjoyable. After breakfast, we had another 2 1/2 mile hike to a temporary bridge that had just been completed.

It was another enjoyable hike through more beautiful woodlands. The one constant was the beautiful river that accompanied our journey. We were making for yet another bridge where we intended to have lunch before the afternoon’s walk which was going to be a grueller!! More on that later.

We arrived at the bridge and Traveler had selected a most beautiful spot set among the trees and by the river. It was going to be a tough spot to leave!!

At noon we were off, and Traveler and Huckleberry took the lead, and Woody and I took the rear. The trail was surprisingly good and we knocked out 2.4 miles in just 1 hour. We were thrilled.

Unfortunately, that’s when the wheels fell off as we were now climbing in the heat of the day. It was brutal. On the climb up we met two young Japanese hikers who were coming down the trail, and so we tried to have a conversation which was difficult due to the language but we managed.

Their names were Shuhei Kishimoto and Tetsuro Abo and they hailed from Tokyo. We were soon on our way when we met another Japanese hiker who came around the corner looking like a Ninja warrior! A short time later a 4th Japanese hiker appeared by the name of Leo, who spoke excellent English.

We were now into the meat of our climb and it was not getting easier, as the climb was getting steeper thanks to the length and steepness of the switchbacks. It was also arguably the hottest day of the entire week we have been walking.

It was a wretched afternoon made more difficult by a lack of water. I also had a sunburnt neck and upper arms. This morning there was more water than you could shake a stick at. This afternoon there was nada!!

We finally reached a creek and our campsite by 4:30 pm. It had been a day of two halves.