Trip leader Linda reported late afternoon: “After almost a year of planning, the Trip 9 team has begun the ascent into the Goat Rocks! Everyone seemed excited to get started, even the llamas! The team is already working together well. By the end of the hike, the Trip 9 team will be a well-oiled machine.

“We had hoped to be ready to leave the trailhead by sometime between 11 a.m. and noon, but we were ready by 10:45 a.m.! We stopped for a nice lunch break at noon in the cool of the shade. The chatter of conversation never stopped. People are enjoying getting to know each other.

“We arrived at camp by 2 p.m. The llamas are loving the meadow by the pond and the wonderful grass.

“Some of our people didn’t get enough walking today! So, they are out exploring. Others are resting here at camp until it’s time to make dinner. Tomorrow, we join the mountain highway called the Pacific Crest Trail (the PCT)!!!”

Today the team hiked about 4 miles with approximately 950 feet of elevation. Their adventure will take them from Walupt Lake trailhead to Berry Patch trailhead.