Day 10
Evolution Creek Crossing
to Muir Pass Hut
13.6 miles
“Twenty years from now you will be more
disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So
throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds
in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
– Mark
Twain
Midday break -
I finally made it to
North Evolution Lake! The
dream has come true. I took it nice and slow in camp
The climb up to the
lakes was a tough one for me today. My legs are feeling tired and the Achilles
tendon in my right leg is tight and sore, but going uphill did help stretch it
out some. I hope this does not become a nagging problem. I met back up with Z
as I approached the Lake. He and James had zeroed just across the Piute Pass Bridge
yesterday, and left a little after 2 a.m. this morning to get here.
I have been laying back
watching the clouds disappear above me. I do not recall ever seeing the clouds
disappear before but it is really neat to watch! I am debating whether my next move will be to
stay here, to go up to Sapphire or Wanda Lakes or go up to Muir Pass and
stealth camp at the hut. I need to work out a mileage plan then I will decide.
Right now I'm very content to sit on the rocks, beneath the warm hot sun and be
bathed by a gentle wind. I have waited so long to be in this exact spot!
 |
| "North" Evolution Lake |
Evening -
 |
| Relaxing at Wanda Lake |
About 2 o'clock I
decided to head on. I talked to James before leaving. My goal was to get the Wanda
Lake about 3 miles away from North Evolution Lake to set me up for an early
morning ascent up to Muir Pass. It took
me about two hours to make it up to Wanda Lake. Not too difficult, just feeling
tired today. I almost stopped one lake short, but ran the three guys camping
there and asked them if they thought it was Wanda, they said they did not think
so. Checking elevation on my watch I concurred and continued to move onwards. A
short time later I reached the actual Wanda Lake.
I was hoping, but
doubtful to find Peter and Carter camped at the lake. But no luck. I talked to
one guy camped there, but he had not seen them. I'm guessing they got up here
early enough to push on up and over the past. I found a flat area big enough to
set up my tent and sat down to rest. It was a nice spot just off the right side
of the trail. The only problem was that the wind was blowing straight into it
right off the lake, ensuring a cold night.
 |
| The final push up to Muir Pass |
A short time after
finding the spot I met a guy from San Diego who had just descended from the
pass and stopped to talk and stretch out. He was also carrying a Tenkara rod, the
first other person I had met on this with one besides myself. We talked fishing
for little while and our destinations for the night. He said that I should go
stay up at the hut. I told him that it had been on my mind, but did not know If
I had it in me to push on that far today. He told me that it was mostly
flat, until the final push. As he moved on his way I decide to go for it. It
was less than 2 miles and 500 feet of elevation gain. Even with tired legs I
was able to make it up there in just an hour.
With a happy heart I checked
off another major landmark on the JMT. I'm really not supposed to overnight
here, but I'm going to and hope I do not get caught by any park person out here.
It is almost 7 p.m. now so I am hoping I am safe. The hut is made out of rock,
and is circular in shape. Probably 30 foot in diameter. The ceiling is a cone
shape, with the rocks getting closer with each layer starting at the height of
about 7feet. There is a fireplace which has been bricked up to prevent use. A
plaque over it says it was built in 1930 in honor of John Muir, and is intended
to shelter hikers doing foul weather but is not for overnight stay. Opps!
I cooked a Mountain
House skillet breakfast for dinner but could barely eat half of it. I tried to
stuff a second burrito into me but I could not do it. After dinner I took some
time to sort through my food. I do not have as much as I thought. I should just
be able to make it up and down Mt. Whitney. I hope!
While North Evolution
Lake today I made a new schedule. My plan now is to summit Mt. Whitney on
Wednesday, July 29th and then head out to civilization. I think I can make it
work. So here's to a great night at. Muir Hut! After dinner I was joined by
another hiker from the San Francisco area who is going to stay up here with me
for the night. So now we can both get in trouble.
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| "South" Evolution Lake |
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