If you think you’re too small to have an impact, try going to bed with a mosquito in the room.
Muir Pass to Blayney Hot Springs
18 miles
Oh baby It was all downhill today. All eighteen miles of it, passing through Evolution Basin and Valley, that features some of the most beautiful lakes surrounded by jagged austere peaks. The weather was perfect in a place of majestic beauty.
A few years ago just below Muir Pass is the location that I happened on a hiker lady that was sitting resting on a rock, the namesake of this blog. I have talked about this experience before on this site. If you want to read about it click here. Anyway, in the course of the brief conversation I had with a her, she changed what I thought was possible. I could hike solo and the dream of section hiking the PCT was planted. It is a constant reminder of the impact we as people can have in just a brief conversation with a stranger.
At the crossing of Evolution Creek, which was an ankle-deep ford I talked to two very friendly cute college students. It turns out one of them is hoping to go to the school two of my kids also go to. I quickly handed them a Moo card with my contact information. The two gave me important and very timely advise. They said that the ferry going to Vermillion Valley Ranch where I am resupplying is not running because the water in the lake is too low. I am now going to take the Bear Ridge Trail to VVR. They also said that I should go to the hot springs at Muir Trail Ranch. It is 1 1/2 miles off the JMT trail. So here I sit after enjoying the warm healing water in a campsite near the hot springs meadow. So great! My only wish is I got a picture of the two helpful, very cute young ladies.
As I was walking today I spotted a fully inflated balloon complete with a Spider-man Mylar balloon. I cut it out of the tree and hiked with it. People liked the balloon as I was walking. I plan on throwing it away at VVR.
As I was walking to the hot springs I met a hiker that is a back country ski guide at China Peak Ski Area. Back-country Telemark skiing is a dream I hope to do someday. It was great talking to him. I am pretty sure I talked TOO much after being by myself for 7 days. How embarrassing. Oh and there was a bear in the camp this evening. There are many campers here so I am sure he is just scouting the camps. Tomorrow……all uphill to Selden Pass!
I didn’t quite get the part about the inspiration from the lady on a rock.
So much Gorgeousness! You are so inspiring!
I have to do My version of such adventures next summer when I hope to be semi retired.
Groove on!
Hello Deebie,
You are so right this post did not make sense. It is so hard to write completely and logically at the end of a long day in a tent on an iPhone. Thank you for the catch. I just edited the entry and hopefully it is more clear now. Thank you for your compliments. The Sierras are so invigorating with something new at each turn. Happy planning, hiking, and congratulatuons on your semi retirement.
Sapphire Lake and McClure Meadow are beautiful.
McClure Meadow was beautiful even though it looked like the end of September. It is so dry compared to last year and Evolution Basin is….just plain stunning. Everyone loves it.