Day 50

Today we went over Muir Pass which is my favorite pass so far. The climb up had us traversing snow fields and scrambling over talus beside beautiful frozen lakes. It culminated in a steep climb up a snowy mountainside to the summit and Muir Hut. The hut was built in 1930 and has been an icon of the Sierras ever since. The descent started off gently so there were no opportunities to glissade, but the snow led to some interesting route finding when the trail was covered.
This evening Cowboy and I crossed Evolution Creek, the most dangerous river crossing on the PCT. The river was very swollen from the day's snowmelt, so we crossed higher than normal where the it was a bit wider and shallower. Even at the alternate site the water was up to my thighs and the force was concerning. We made it across and down into a canyon to cap off our longest day since starting the John Muir Trail section of the PCT.

Steps taken today/total: 51,427/1,768,732
Miles walked today/total: 20.41/853.06
Elevation gained today/total: 3,453/145,106
Elevation lost today/total: 3,785/154,813

Day 49

We woke up dry at the base of Mather Pass this morning after sleeping in to allow the snow on the backside to soften up a little bit. We got over the pass much more easily than Pinchot and glissaded down the back. We began the long descent into the canyon, stopping along the way to swim in the freezing snowmelt of Palisade Lake. The canyon was formed by the largest river we've seen yet, a raging torrent that tore through the air beside us. We then went down the steepest switchbacks I've seen and felt bad for the southbound hikers who had to struggle up them. We camped a few miles up the ten mile ascent of Muir Pass, but we'll have a steep climb tomorrow to get over the last of the 12,000 foot passes.

Steps taken today/total: 40,023/1,717,305
Miles walked today/total: 17.31/832.65
Elevation gained today/total: 2,002/141,653
Elevation lost today/total: 4,314/151,055

Day 48

This morning we were shooting for two passes again when Pinchot Pass got in the way. There was a 3,500 foot gain in the first seven miles out of camp to take us over the 12,000 foot pass. The brutal climb and uninspiring landscape left us wiped out and the prospect of another pass was too unappealing. When we set up camp there were a few dark clouds rolling in and some brisk wind so I set up my tarp in the cramped spot and Woodsmoke, Cowboy, Lopsong, and I managed to get under it in case of rain.

Steps taken today/total: 40,713/1,677,282
Miles walked today/total: 15.66/815.34
Elevation gained today/total: 5,010/139,651
Elevation lost today/total: 2,237/146,741

Day 47

Today was the first time we've done two passes in one day, starting with Kearsarge in the morning and doing Glenn in the afternoon. Glenn gave us our first good opportunity to glissade down, essentially sledding without a sled. It was a fun, if cold, experience that I hope to do again. We camped in a popular spot just before Pinchot Pass and met two hikers, Andrew and Elijah, who are hiking the Southern Sierra High Route. This route has very little trail walking and a lot of route finding so it is much more intense than the PCT or JMT.

Steps taken today/total: 42,673/1,636,569
Miles walked today/total: 16.60/799.68
Elevation gained today/total: 3,089/134,641
Elevation lost today/total: 4,901/144,464

Day 46

When we got back to Independence there was a thunderstorm at the pass, so we decided to wait it out. After a few hours the storm cleared and we were able to get a ride up to the trailhead. It was still threatening rain, so I put up my tarp for the first time since Big Bear. Hopefully the weather is nice tomorrow so we can get over Kearsarge and Glenn Passes and to Rae Lakes.

Steps taken today/total: 9,631/1,596,896
Miles walked today/total: 2.06/788.50
Elevation gained today/total: 1,303/131,552
Elevation lost today/total: 0/139,563

Day 45

We went over Kearsarge Pass today and hitched a ride to Independence for a food resupply. From there we hitched 40 miles to Bishop since they have more to offer to replace any lost or broken equipment.

Steps taken today/total: 24,208/1,587,265
Miles walked today/total: 6.3/788.50
Elevation gained today/total: 1,246/130,249
Elevation lost today/total: 2,575/139,563

Day 44

Somehow today managed to top climbing Mt. Whitney yesterday. Shimmy, Cowboy, and I went over Forester Pass, the highest point on the PCT and the border between Sequoia and King's Canyon National Parks. The climb up to 13,200 feet included passing dozens of lakes, walking across snow with a river flowing under it, and traversing a treacherous chute on a snow ledge formed by hiker's footsteps.

The descent into King's Canyon took us across streams and through forest where we saw plenty of deer. This is probably the most beautiful area I've ever seen and it seems like everywhere you look could be a postcard. The sculpted mountain faces contrast the mellow lakes and rivers that litter the valley floor and the sunlight glitters off the snow like a million diamonds on the cliffsides.

We started the side trail over Kearsarge Pass to drop down to Independence for a food resupply and walked around a few more lakes with beautiful views.

Steps taken today/total: 46,937/1,563,057
Miles walked today/total: 19.60/788.50
Elevation gained today/total: 4,514/129,003
Elevation lost today/total: 4,332/136,988