Now that the tune has changed and masks are mandatory in CA and even Texas, please put the politics aside and wear one if you need to interact with locals in these small vulnerable communities of the Eastern Sierra. They don't have ICU facilities to deal with exponential spread conditions, not to mention it's just common decency and the law requires it.
Trail safety is more complicated being outdoors with short durations of close-contact exposure. There will be roughly 200 others on the trail around you, so this situation will be repeated over and over on your hike up and down the mountain.
How do you plan to deal with drafting behind or in front of other hikers breathing heavy, or passing closely where there's no room to maintain reasonable separation?
