June 17
Our meandering route through Indian Meadows is just what we needed - a snowless exploration of hills, marshes, and fields. It's enough of a respite that we don't take it too hard when we finally get lost in the snow again. The day gives us some beautiful moments of light and color, and enough of a respite from the snow to keep our hopes up.
| Pete's Journal
June 18 & 19
The goal for the day is Echo Lake Resort, where Pete's Uncle Keith and Aunt Jan will feed us and put us up for the night. To get there we have to negotiate several miles of crusty snow in low, thickly forested hills. With not much more of a plan than "head north", we somehow find the trail, which takes us safely down the valley's steep cliffular walls. By lunch we are at Echo Lake, and so are Keith and Jan, but our supply package is not.

The next afternoon, after a suitable raid on a nearby grocery store, we're heading into the snowy Desolation Wilderness. Just over Poop Out Ridge we poop out, next to a peaceful little lake.

One of our three water bottles has a leak.

| Pete's Journal
June 20
Maybe it's the thicker trees, or the mosquitos. Or the amount of time on the trail. I start shutting the world out, falling into routines, poring over the guidebook calculating mileages. Maybe Pete & I have reached an impasse. Although I still love the life, my attitude toward the trail is changing, taking on more of an everyday dullness. It's the beginning of a difficult struggle for me.
| Pete's Journal
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