Box of Money

This morning I dream that I am a teenager and have run away from home. My best friend’s family shelters me for a day as we all come to terms with what this means – I must seek my fortune in the world. On the day I depart, the family gathers to send me off. I have a duffel bag with all my possessions. My eyes fill with tears and I turn away from them to leave. My best friend stuffs a small tagboard box in my duffel. It’s the size that might contain a shirt. But I see that this one is filled with money.

The dream could be an analogy for this hike. One thing perplexes me though. What is represented by the bag of money?

Plans

I hiked longer than expected yesterday. 17 miles instead of 15. This presents me with a choice: hike 13 miles to Dick’s Lake as originally planned or go for broke and hike up over Dick’s Pass and find a camping spot on the other side. That would put me into South Lake Tahoe a full three hours ahead of schedule. This second choice sounds attractive to me.

Early Trail

I start where I left off yesterday – in the broken down forest. There is deadfall everywhere.

I am still on the combined PCT and TRT

After a few hours I get a glimpse of my objective today – Dick’s Peak. Dick’s is the taller, rounder mountain. The shorter darker mountain behind it is Jack’s Peak. At the bottom of Dick’s Peak is Dick’s Lake (not visible) where I might spend the night. Dick’s Pass is below and to the left of the peak.

The trail really starts to look like the Sierra Nevada Mountains. This sparse tree cover with large granite boulders is exactly what I will find on the John Muir Trail in 150 miles.

Today I also see my first unmistakable alpine lake.

And before you know it it’s time for lunch.

Here’s how lunch works. Find a flat spot on the ground near the trail, one preferably with a tree, log or rock to lean back on. Plop down. Unload as much of your pack as you need to for lunch to happen. Lay down or recline on the ground for at least 10 minutes. Pack up and go, walking very carefully to avoid upset stomach.

Today’s spot had a lot of big black ants. I was constantly brushing them off my food. The ones that crawled up my clothes I had to kill by pinching them. I hope they got at least a few crumbs out of the deal.

Despite my slow start, I have gone almost eleven miles by 12 o’clock. There’s no way I am going stop hiking in two miles at Dick’s Lake. That settles it. I am going up over the pass!

Lakes

There are other alpine lakes along the trail. My favorite is Fontanillis Lake.

Fontanillis has an island that looks like it was made at the Magic Kingdom.

These hikers have been leaping-frogging with me since yesterday. They are sunbathing on the rocks of the Lake.

The Pass

The pass is that light spot on the ridge indicated by my trekking pole. I am at 8330 feet. The pass is above 9300 feet. No problem right? Oh wait, that’s 700 feet higher than my highest point so far. Well, I still gotta do it. Let’s go!

The climb is not so bad. Yes, I am winded, but it is no worse than the first day, and I am several thousand feet higher. Dick’s Peak is up ahead.

And here is my reward: the view.

Dick’s Lake is at the bottom. Dark shapes move on the surface of the lake as if created by submerged monsters. The other local Lakes stretch out beyond. And on the horizon are many of the mountains I have passed. Here is what PeakFinder shows me. You will recognize some of the names.

It’s been an interesting two weeks. Full of ups and downs. But I feel accomplished at this point. There are big days ahead.

August 19, 2025

Miles hike today: 17

What is the Box of Money? You tell me.