Mammoth

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https://strava.app.link/S5TtyxZcVDb

We rolled out of Lee Vining (or should I say we dragged ourselves uphill out of Lee Vining?) and then promptly turned off onto the Silver Lake detour. Yet more climbing with views up into the high Sierras and amazing fall colours from the Aspen stands.

Arrived at the campground to ask about a pitch for the night and were directed to a stony patch of ground. We asked if there was anywhere a bit better for pitching a tent (as opposed to parking an RV) and were informed that it was the last spot they had. Given that the site also had  warm showers the deal was clinched and we took it.

Stunning location with views of rocky hills and a waterfall that came down the hill at an angle (presumably following fault lines in the rocks).

We had planned a short day so had time to walk up towards the waterfall before setting off. 

Part way up we met two walkers who asked us if we wanted to look at the eclipse and handed us some goggles. We knew there was an eclipse at some point but did not know it was happening there and then. We saw it very clearly: there was just a small crescent of sun showing from behind the moon. We could not believe our good fortune to have been there at that moment and to have met those two hikers. Apparently it was a total eclipse at Crater Lake.

Back down to the bike and finished off the loop back to the 395. More climbing. This area is consistently high. We find ourselves thinking back to our Crater Lake experience which was the first time we had gone above 2000m this trip and how we have spent most of the last week well above that elevation. 

Turned onto the Mammoth scenic loop which dropped us into Mammoth resort (after another climb!) We had decided on an early finish so stocked up on supplies, including a couple of beers and headed to the campsite. Arrived to find it full but one camper had just left early and we were told we could have their pitch. Brilliant. Not only that, they had left behind a huge pile of firewood so we promptly lit a fire and drank our beers before cooking dinner. 

We have been quite taken aback by everyone's good nature and desire to help fellow human beings. Some examples include a woman who witnessed the bear incident at Lake Tahoe and heard it had taken out snacks and gave us some granola bars.

 Natasha, a warmshowers host, who heard that the bear had taken and destroyed one of our bags and very kindly donated one of hers to replace it. 

Theresa, who was camping opposite us at Silver Lake and saw that we had to camp on stony ground and lent us a tarp to pitch our tent on. A kind couple in a camper van on the climb up to Bodie who stopped to offer us water. While they were filling our bottles they gave us a cold coke to drink. All were unexpected acts of generosity which reveal the wonderful instinct of human nature to help others. We are indebted to all of you and to all the others I've not had space to mention.

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