Stories Along the Way: Tales from the John Muir Trail

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• published: 19 Jul 2014
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Video diary documenting one couple's 17 day southbound journey on the John Muir Trail from Yosemite Valley to Mt. Whitney in 2013. Music by Opus Orange https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/opus-orange/id389059147 Day 1: Happy Isles to Sunrise Lakes - Taking advantage of fresh legs, we began with a 13+ mile day that gained over 5,000 feet in elevation. We passed behind Half Dome, over Nevada Falls, and through a hail storm. Day 2: Sunrise Lakes to Lyell Canyon - A 16+ mile day began with laundry and a swim in Cathedral Lake. Our first resupply added some weight to our packs but the burgers more than made up for it. Day 3: Lyell Canyon to Island Pass - A shorter 10+ mile day helped us get over our first pass (Donahue, 11,056 feet). Day 4: Island Pass to Devils Postpile - “Lake day” included Thousand Island Lake, Garnet Lake, and a dip in Shadow Lake. 16+ miles got us in good position to reach Reds Meadow early the next day. Day 5: Devils Postpile to Deer Creek - After a quick visit to Devils Postpile, we met Andrew (Commie) and Amy at Reds Meadow Resort for a delicious breakfast and to pick up our second resupply. Commie then joined us on the trail and we made our way to a campsite past Deer Creek to complete a 10+ mile day. Day 6: Deer Creek to Fish Creek - This 11+ mile jaunt included a stop at gorgeous Purple Lake and a swim in Lake Virginia. We found a great campsite on a slope above Fish Creek. Day 7: Fish Creek to Bear Ridge - The 14+ mile day began with a climb past Squaw Lake and over Silver Pass (10,895 feet and perhaps our favorite of the passes). The day ended with an interminable number of switchbacks up Bear Ridge. Day 8: Bear Ridge to Senger Creek - After stopping for water (and an unfortunate pants-splitting incident) at Bear Creek, we hiked 12+ miles to a campsite with stunning valley views. A trip over Selden Pass (10,880 feet) and stroll by Sallie Keyes and Heart lakes were highlights of the day. Day 9: Senger Creek to Franklin Meadow - Day 9 (~9 miles) was bittersweet as we bid goodbye to Commie at Muir Trail Ranch. We picked up a resupply with 8 days’ worth of food and trudged along with heavy packs and tired feet up to a campsite at the base of the switchbacks leading up to Evolution Valley. Day 10: Franklin Meadow to Sapphire Lake - After starting the day with a rousing round of switchbacks, we hiked 10+ miles through the stunning Evolution Valley, past Evolution Lake, to camp next to Sapphire Lake. The Evolution Valley area is justifiably famous. It is simply spectacular. Day 11: Sapphire Lake to Kings River - We set out early for Muir Pass (11,955 feet and complete with the Muir Hut built in 1930) and hiked over 15 miles through rocky, but beautiful, scenery. Day 12: Kings River to Bench Lake - Day 12 featured the famous Golden Staircase climb (the last piece of the trail to be completed) and also a long haul up and over Mather Pass (12,100 feet). We were eager to rest our tired feet after another 15 mile day. Day 13: Bench Lake to Woods Creek - On the 13th day we tackled red-hued Pinchot Pass (12,130 feet) and walked down one very long valley. With stops to soak our feet in the creek and to swing on the suspension bridge, we camped after tackling 13+ miles. Day 14: Woods Creek to Bubbs Creek - The beautiful Rae Lakes region and Glen Pass (11,978 feet) greeted us on our 13.5 mile Day 14. Day 15: Bubbs Creek to Wright creek - On Day 15 we tackled mighty Forester Pass (13,200 feet and the fifth pass in five days), as well as 13+ miles of gorgeous scenery. A thunderstorm made for an interesting afternoon and also dampened our picture taking. Day 16: Wright Creek to Guitar Lake - The sun shone brightly on Day 16 and we enjoyed each step of our 7.5 mile stroll to Guitar Lake. We reached Guitar Lake just after noon and spent time relaxing and gazing up at Mt. Whitney. Day 17: Guitar Lake to Whitney Portal - We started on the last 5 miles of the JMT at 4:50 a.m. and walked with headlamps up the switchbacks to Mt. Whitney. We reached Trail Crest just as the sun rose over the 14,495 foot peak and were greeted by gusty winds and a temperature in the 30s as we reached the end of the John Muir Trail. Only a 10.5 mile hike down 6,000+ feet separated us from civilization.