Silly question: where did the moon go?

Speculating, but with the JMT mostly in deep Sierra canyons, the Moon could have been above the horizon but below the ridgeline for much of your hike. My copy of Peakfinder also shows the path of Moon and Sun through the sky, which can help clear up mysteries.

In general, it can be hard to see the Moon 2-3 days before and after new moon because it’s dim or a thin crescent, so roughly one week a month. But that depends on city lights, weather, wildfire smoke, mountains, etc.

Living in a forested canyon on a foggy coast, I can easily go weeks without directly seeing the moon.

— Rex

or, maybe you were asleep when the moon came up

The moon has been known for messing with people.  I’m not suggesting you were drunk! (much).

I’ve made two changes in tense. edit again: actually this translation needs a bit of improvement!

Drinking Alone Under the Moon
Li Bai

A jug of wine among the flowers,
I drink alone, I think.
I tip my cup to the bright moon.
The moon, my shadow, and I make three.
The moon does not care to drink.
My shadow only trails along.
Fleeting friends we three, the moon, my shadow and I.
Still, let us make merry ’til the end of Spring.
The moon sways as I sing.
My shadow dances in step along with me.
Sober, we happily honor the hour.
Drunk, we part.
Our meeting beyond the heavens,
Until we gather again, these two and I,
Beneath the Heavenly River

havent read that in years, thanks. strange that in my mind i had it attributed to richard brautigan

The full moon was really red last week when it was low in the sky. It felt ominous because I assumed the cause was the fires out west.