PCT: Kearsarge Pass to VVR

Took a double zero in Bishop. A zero in hiker lingo is a day when no hiking on trail occurs. Town visits on a long hike entail showering, laundry, eating as much as possible, buying food for the next section, gear replacement or additions, and chatting with other hikers you haven’t seen in a while or just met, and not necessarily in that order. It can be quite hectic and sometimes you just want to lay in the motel/hostel bed and chill. Hence the need of taking another day off. Some hikers can accomplish all their chores quickly and return to trail the same day but that rarely is the case with me.

Hawkeye, Downdog, Baby Sinclair and I all returned to Independence using the public bus service and Downdog kindly arranged for a ride back to the trailhead from there with a local Trail Angel. We added a German hiker to our motley crew and believe it or not, 4 of us with backpacks that wouldn’t fit in the cargo area were crammed in the backseat of a Subaru. Must have looked like the backpacker version of a clown car!

It took most of the day to get back to the trail and I only managed a few miles before stopping a mile or so before Kearsarge Pass, so the next day involved hiking over 2 passes. Glen Pass was really a tough one for me and in retrospect I found the hardest of all.

Just when you think to yourself, how can the scenery get any more spectacular, it surprises you and does! It was absolutely breathtaking! I’ve definitely got a love affair going with the High Sierra’s and hope I can visit again in the future for further exploration.

Saw a bear shortly before crossing the suspension bridge, or at least the tail end as it scampered away.

Found myself taking long breaks in spots like these

Marmots are in abundance and so cute!

Water everywhere! Fortunately all stream crossings were relatively easy though I imagine it would be a different story in a high snow year.

Lots of grouse sighted. They would get quite annoyed if you got too close to their chicks.

My favorite pass was Muir Pass. It was quite a slog up and over several snow fields, though easy enough to follow the footsteps of those who had gone before.

The hut at the summit is an interesting structure honoring John Muir who so loved the area and was instrumental in its protection. It can be used for emergency shelter in inclement weather.

After descending the pass, the trail followed the length of Evolution Lake and I have to say was one of my favorite sections.

I camped at the far end of Evolution Lake and enjoyed a stunning sunset and then the resulting Alpenglow. Fantastic!

My friends who had hiked the John Muir Trail last summer recommended a stop at Vermilion Valley Resort (VVR) You can hike 8 miles to it or pay to take a boat across the lake. I elected the boat trip.

I also elected to stay in a tent cabin rather than the free tenting area. Laundry, showers and excellent food were available, though all quite expensive but to be expected for such a remote area.

Waiting for the return boat ride! Notice the low level of the lake, an example of the serious drought conditions in California.

878.7 miles hiked!