John Muir Trail

Day 14: Little Pete Meadow to Lower Palisade Lake
The morning of our fourteenth day we woke up excited to have made it to the 2/3 mark of our trip. Still one more week ahead, but some of the best scenery yet to come. Plus, we would have company on the trail for the next few days.

Day 13: Evolution Lake to Little Pete Meadow
As far as passes along the JMT go, I believe that Muir Pass is my favourite. I have now had the chance to do the approach from both directions and Southbound is definitely the way to go!

Day 12: Evolution Valley to Evolution Lake
After a few challenging days I was very grateful to have a “near-0” day. We woke up early, struck camp, had a Clif bar for breakfast and hit the trail to climb 1.7 miles and 900 feet up to Evolution Lake, where we would relax for the rest of the day.

Day 11: MTR South Junction to Evolution Valley
​Looking back on my trail experience I can only be amazed at my progression along the trail. I had to face many personal obstacles before even getting to the trail and then had more mental and physical obstacles as I walked my 200-mile journey.

Day 10: Bear Creek to South Fork of the San Joaquin
The morning after my worst day on trail started out buggy. Out came the bug nets as we hurriedly ate our oatmeal breakfasts. We hit the trail and made it to the crossing of Bear Creek just as the sun crested the ridge.

Day 9 – VVR to Bear Creek
The day following our relaxing and social zero day was my worst day on trail.
We made the most of our last morning at VVR and treated ourselves to a full and hearty breakfast in their restaurant. We got the last of our gear squared away, weighed our packs and hit the dirt road out of the resort.

Day 7-8 – Vermillion Valley Resort
After a solid week of hiking, we had earned ourselves a zero day (thru-hiker slang for a day of no hiking!) We had originally expected to reach Lake Edison too late to catch the ferry across to Vermillion Valley Resort, located on the far East side of the lake. We were going to camp near the ferry landing and catch the first boat across in the morning.

Day 6-7: Deer Creek to Vermillion Valley Resort
​While eating breakfast at Red’s Meadow Resort, I had grabbed a copy of Elizabeth Wenk’s “John Muir Trail” to read up on Devil’s Postpile as well as the next section of the trail. The guidebook declared that the first 5.5 miles of our 6th day on trail are considered “[…] the most monotonous on the JMT.”

Day 5: Minaret Creek Junction to Deer Creek
Our first stop for day 5 was a visit to Devil’s Postpile National Monument. ​We were there early enough to beat the regular tourist crowd and we also got to see the sun rise over the odd columnar rock formations.

Day 3-4: Gem Lake to Minaret Creek Junction
On our third day on trail we joined up with the JMT.
We were up and out of camp nice and early, taking advantage of the cool morning air as we climbed up through the forest to nearby Agnew Pass. We especially enjoyed crossing through the meadows beside Clark Lakes.