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Hated the JMT mileage plan until a ranger yelled at me
I planned a 15 mile day out of Red's Meadow last summer. Ranger saw my map at the permit counter. Said I was gonna blow my knees out on that stretch to Purple Lake. He was right. I dropped it to 8 miles and actually enjoyed the climb. Now I never plan over 12 miles on Sierra granite. Anyone else get humbled by a park ranger?
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andrew91629d ago
Honestly @the_skyler I gotta call something out here. Deer Creek is way past Purple Lake, so you're talking about a different section. That stretch from Red's to Purple Lake is all uphill on loose granite with some real steep switchbacks. Your knees might be fine on the descent to Deer Creek but going up to Purple Lake is a whole different beast. I learned that the hard way when a ranger called me out too. Ngl I used to plan 15 mile days everywhere until I actually listened to what the rangers were saying about the Sierra specifically. The rock there is just way harder on your joints than other trails.
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the_skyler1mo ago
Woah, I gotta push back a little here. I actually love planning 15+ mile days in the Sierra. I did 18 from Red's to Deer Creek last summer and felt great just taking it slow with breaks. Different strokes, I guess, but my knees never complained once on that granite.
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