Tuesday ramblin'

Not able to make Wednesday, John and I hiked back up at the pass on Tuesday. We were only mildly surprised to find 3 inches of snow covering the PCT and figuring we would be okay as long as there was no more than 3 and it didn't ice up. We were in luck as we followed this beautiful trail up the rock face with its engineered switchbacks and easy grades. We passed under the chair lifts for Sugar Bowl, arriving a Roller Pass. The wind picked up and blew cold but at least there was no more snow, in fact in some areas it had been blown away.

John was determined to see this Benson Hut. But at 5 miles, there was no hut as advertised. We hiked further and further. No hut. Then John was sure he saw it on the very tippy top of Mt. Anderson. "A beautiful one." All I could see is trees which became more apparent as we hiked up to the bottom of the mountain.

We seached further, getting a little punchy as we approached the mountain. I teased him telling him, "there it is". Becoming teary eyed, he sighed, "Yes, there it is." Thinking he was playing my game, I agreed until I realized he was serious as he hiked cross-country straight up to the hut. Thank goodness it wasn't on the tippy top. Not at all. Satisfied, we could now have lunch. 2:15 PM.

After a quick lunch, we figured we ought to hoof it down before the trail froze. Luck was with us and the weather warmed instead of cooling off.

The hut was 6 miles each way and there was a 2280 foot elevation gain. A BEAUTIFUL hike - thanks to all of you who recommended it to us.