Day 20. 21f in the morning. Crabtree Meadow was covered in
frost in the morning.
View of Crabtree Meadow from near our camp spot, 7am
We lolligagged a bit and still got out of camp at 8:20. We had
a fairly uneventful morning, and it felt really good to be hiking. A definite change of attitude from
yesterday.
We got to Rock Creek by a little after 11. If you have not noticed, since we passed south of Forrester Pass and Mount Whitney, the terrain has softened a lot. Gone are the jagged ridges and sharp peaks. Now the terrain looks older and softer, more weathered.
We ended up near the ranger station when we saw a uniformed person we assumed was the ranger. He turned out he was just a maintenance person cutting a tree. We saw a couple other uniformed NPS employees a bit after that. We suspect one of them may have been a ranger, but as far as we know for sure we saw no rangers the entire 200 mile trip. That was in stark contrast to our 10 day trip in August 2016, where we saw 6 rangers.
We got to Rock Creek by a little after 11. If you have not noticed, since we passed south of Forrester Pass and Mount Whitney, the terrain has softened a lot. Gone are the jagged ridges and sharp peaks. Now the terrain looks older and softer, more weathered.
We ended up near the ranger station when we saw a uniformed person we assumed was the ranger. He turned out he was just a maintenance person cutting a tree. We saw a couple other uniformed NPS employees a bit after that. We suspect one of them may have been a ranger, but as far as we know for sure we saw no rangers the entire 200 mile trip. That was in stark contrast to our 10 day trip in August 2016, where we saw 6 rangers.
We stopped up the trail by a small side creek and had lunch at noon. The afternoon felt like it was a victory lap. Fairly easy trail, much different
but still pretty views in the southern Sierras. It was a 15 mile day and we were just
cruising.
This area was interesting. Just to the left of the picture was a mature stand of trees on a slope. The near area pictured looked like pine cones had rolled down the hill, and likely been blown a bit by the wind, and started this tree farm on the flat. Not sure why the area was devoid of large trees to begin with, so many little mysteries in the Sierras.
We continued on, lured into false hope from some trail signs with incorrect milage that told us we were getting near our camp spot.
Big Whitney Meadow
Siberian Outpost
Unfortunately some very different included a two mile slog through a rather sandy trail.
But also a cool rock formation that looked like it offered some fun bouldering
This area was interesting. Just to the left of the picture was a mature stand of trees on a slope. The near area pictured looked like pine cones had rolled down the hill, and likely been blown a bit by the wind, and started this tree farm on the flat. Not sure why the area was devoid of large trees to begin with, so many little mysteries in the Sierras.
We continued on, lured into false hope from some trail signs with incorrect milage that told us we were getting near our camp spot.
Big Whitney Meadow
Siberian Outpost
Unfortunately some very different included a two mile slog through a rather sandy trail.
But also a cool rock formation that looked like it offered some fun bouldering
We reached our camp for the day, Chicken Spring Lake, at six.
We found a descent camp spot with a great cook area. Our last dinner on the trail, and lots of joking going on.
And some great sunset colors.
Fortunately it is also not as cold here, 34 f when we went to bed around 8:15. Chicken Spring Lake was also our highest elevation camping for the trip at 11,242'. Basically right at tree line.
Less than five miles to the trailhead tomorrow planned get up time is 6:30, and a no cook breakfast .just hot water for coffee.
No inreach location for the day 
We found a descent camp spot with a great cook area. Our last dinner on the trail, and lots of joking going on.
And some great sunset colors.
Fortunately it is also not as cold here, 34 f when we went to bed around 8:15. Chicken Spring Lake was also our highest elevation camping for the trip at 11,242'. Basically right at tree line.
Less than five miles to the trailhead tomorrow planned get up time is 6:30, and a no cook breakfast .just hot water for coffee.
Link to Day 21, the last day
Miles hiked: 15
Elevation gain: 2400'
Elevation lost: 1500'
Precipitation: none
Morning low temperature: 21F
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