One of the great things about Lone Pine is how easy it is to walk around. This meant I was able to get breakfast, last minute resupply, fully packed, and even a visit to the local film museum, all before noon. A shuttle driver named Kurt picked up 6 of us and took us back to the trailhead, a 45 minute drive up the mountain. Before I knew it, I had camp set up at a stunning spot next to a pristine mountain tarn just off trail.

My first stop for the day was Totem Cafe, just up the road from the hostel. They were pretty quiet when I got in, so I could pick a nice spot right by the window. I had French toast with eggs and bacon, plus one of those awesome American bottomless coffees. After breakfast, I spent some time sitting in the sun, some other hikers came in and we chatted for a while

I headed off to organize my pack and get it out of the hostel. While doing that, a couple of others from the dorm told me they’d organized a lift out of town at noon with a spare seat, I gladly took the opportunity to join the ride. This left me with just enough time to visit the film museum, recommended to me by my lift into town yesterday.

Inside the museum, they had props and vehicles from many of the western and sci fi films that have been shot here over the decades. I got to see the wagon from Django Unchained, and some historic cars used in older western films too.

Our ride picked us up at noon and took us all up to the trailhead for $15 each, a fair price I’d say considering how far it is. In no time I was back on top of Cottonwood Pass, and the thin air already feels like my new normal.

I had planned to camp near Chicken Springs lake, but it was so early that I continued onwards to an unnamed tarn further along the trail. I headed up from the trail to set up camp at 11 520 ft, 3511 m, even more acclimation for what’s coming next.