113143 Photo courtesy Bill Bushnell

Mammoth Trip, 2026

September 15

Mammoth Crest



The trail climbing to Duck Pass winds steeply through a talus field and is emblematic for the route. I pled to do the hike in this direction rather than the other because I did not want to descend this with my ankle.

Meanwhile my right shoulder was hurting badly from the strap of my heavy backpack, especially in conjunction with the use of my hiking sticks. Much of the time I cradled the bottom of my pack with my hands behind my back, dragging the sticks behind me. The shoulder plagued and tormented me for the rest of the hike. -F.