G.A.S.P.

(Great Adventures to Scenic Places)

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September 22, 1999

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The following day (9-22) wasn’t very exciting. It was dreary, a bit cold and I got sprinkled on a couple of times. Is that enough for today? I guess not. The high point of the day was crossing Monitor Pass (8314’) which was a grueling eight-mile climb because the road was so steep (8-9% in several places). Then I just came back down the other side and gave up all of my hard earned elevation gain (about 3300’). Actually, I was lucky only to have the level of "steepness" that I did, because I saw a sign at the junction of Rts. 89 and 4 that cautioned of a 24% grade going the other way. I really don’t know what I would do if I came unexpectedly upon a grade like that. I certainly couldn’t peddle up it, and I doubt if I could even push the bike up it. I think it would be time to give a "thumb up" to every passing pick-up truck.

I stayed at a Forest Service Campground on the West Walker River, ten miles South of the town of Walker. The fee was $10, but I didn’t have correct change so I asked the Campground Host for change for a $20. He took my $20, gave me a $10 and told me to put the $10 in an envelope and drop it in the pay slot. I was tired, but not that tired (or as Tom Lyon, my former boss, used to say "I was born at night, but not last night"). I finally convinced him that if he gave me two $10’s, I would put one in the envelope and drop it in the pay slot.