From our lake at about 10,800 ft, we walked snow all the way up toward the top of Muir Pass. Muir is a long, fairly gradual pass, so it was nice to be on frozen, firm morning snow. We actually were suprised to find a few pieces of trail melted out on the way up and around Helen Lake. We reached the top of the pass by 8:15am. The top of the Pass has a stone emergency hut, but on this georgeous morning we sat outside.
We walked snow until around Saphire Lake, where we started to get trail. Evolution Lake was totally melted out which surprised us. More Lakes have been frozen than we remembered in 2005. Being earlier in the year the temps have remained cold at night, but '05 had more snow. This was our first sign of more melting than we had on our JMT hike.
We crossed Evolution Creek right at the trail at about knee height, just getting the tips of our shorts wet. We were happy at how mild this notorious crossing was. We continued to decend and decend most of the day. As we neared the trail break for Muir Trail Ranch the mosquitos began to get after us and our speed increased. We began to climb up a hillside at a vigerous speed. We had to stop for water and broke out the mircle drug: DEET. A few squirts brought great relief from the bugs. It's amazing how well it works.
We were stuck climbing up a set of steep switchbacks before we could find anywhere to sleep. Finially with sun set and dimming we reached a nice flat spot just before a stream crossing, and crashed after what turned out to be a pretty big day.
Total Miles:860.0
Miles Today:25.0
Camp 50:Below Seldon
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2 comments:
I thought the "evolution area" was one of the best areas on the PCT... though I recall the Mosquitos had evolved maybe a little too much in my opinion ;-)
Great reports for those of us who are re-hiking the trail with you.
I think our group was stuck going up that climb in the dark...and we might have slept on the same flat spot. I don't remember it well because we left before sun up the next morning.
Great journals!
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