Mile 788 Bishop to one mile before PCT on the Onion Trail

Said a fond farewell to Bishop after packing up and taking a few things to the post office. Waited for the twice daily bus outside JC Penneys that took us to Independence. Thought the hitch up the 18 mile road to the trailhead might be difficult, but thanks to Tracy it didn't take long. A truck going in the opposite direction stopped nearby and Tracy noticed the 'Chico State' sticker, where she went to college. She remarked on this to the guy with the dog in the truck, and within seconds we were in his truck on the way up to the trailhead. 

We hiked with Katie again and it was a very pleasant hike, surprisingly cool and made interesting by the conversation. There would be a lull in our chatter every now and again just to remark on the beautiful scenery. We made it up over the pass quite quickly despite the weight of our packs laden with 7 days food and a bladder full of beer. Ran into Goku again and Kazu a young Japanese woman who studies at Kyoto University where I used to teach. Camped at a idyllic spot overlooking bullfrog lake on the onion trail a couple of miles from the PCT, which we'll rejoin tomorrow.