July 7, 2013 - Colby Meadow

Title: July 7, 2013 - Colby Meadow

Hike Info:

Trail: John Muir Trail, Day Thirteen

Starting location:  San Joaquin River

Destination: Upper Evolution Valley

Actual Destination: Colby Meadow

Distance:  11.6 miles

Start Time: 8:05

End Time:  6:15

Travel Time: 10:10 (1.09 mph)

Moving Time: 7:13(1.53 mph)

Elevation Rise: 2,540'

Maximum Elevation:  9,850'

There are a great many pictures today. Many of them can be found at the bottom of this page.

Description:

Piute Creek area

After yesterday, we are moving a bit slower. Normally, we would be dividing out the food at night for the trail today. But we were so tired, we said we would do it today. Even with that, we got started on the trail a little after 8. Not bad for a slow day.

We move at a pretty good clip, about 2.5 mph to Piute Creek. We pick up another person, Jim from Chico, whom we hike with for about a mile. Sherri and Jim talk about cooking on the Trail. He suggests freeze dried chicken from Honeyville Farms.

San Joaquin River

At the creek we leave him, as he takes up with Mike, Gene, Noble and Hannah, people whom we have played tag with for the past couple of days. We make good progress going up the canyon, stopping occasionally to relieve our backs from the packs. When we get to the first footbridge across the San Joaquin, we stop for elevenses. As we finish up lunch, Nicole comes by. We chat for a time this may be the last time we see her on the trail, as she wants to finish things up sooner than later.

North from our Evolution Climb

We stop one more time before the climb out of the canyon, into Evolution Valley. This is a 800' ascent up the shear side of the canyon. One person calls Evolution a hanging valley. On the way up, we take plenty of breathers. After about 400', we stop and take off our packs for awhile. Ray and Rachel catch up with us there. It is a joy to see them again. We tell them to save us a camp spot up at Colby Meadows.

Rachel, Ray and Gary

After this break, we still have 400' to climb, but it is not as steep. We get to walk by Evolution Creek from here on up. It's crashing sounds as it leaps down into the canon are great to hear.  Once in the Valley, we need to cross the creek, it is a wade. Several other people are making this as well. Once on the other side, we all take about an hour to relax. One of the people is Beth, whom we hear about at Duck Creek. She is a first year teacher in Oakland.

Sherri Crossing Evolution Creek

I will confess here, that as great as Evolution Valley is, it is a bit of a trudge walking after our beak. I still appreciate its beauty, but now the back aches some with the heaviness of the pack, reducing the enjoyment of the surroundings. But there is still plenty to fill the senses, the shape of the valley, the meadows we pass along the way, the stream pleasant meandering, then crashing along.

We finally get to Colby Meadows (37.18358, -118.73100). This is the upper meadow in Evolution Valley. In a mile or two, we will be going up to Evolution Basin. This will mark a long time up above timberline. We set up camp, right before the meadow, giving us a great view. It is good to have the pack off the back. We rest a bit, then set up camp. Rachel and Ray comes in and joins us.

Evolution Valley at McClure Meadows

We eat, enjoy a small fire, and talk. There is the hanging of excess stuff, which is always fun and exciting. Then off to bed right around 9. We are discussing where to go tomorrow. Not sure yet what kind of day we want. Short up to Sapphire Lake, or over Muir Pass, into the Middle Fork of the Kings. We may not decide until we are on the trail.

Today's JMT Lesson:  Be prepared for equipment failure.

Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner	Snacks
Oatmeal and add-ins, such as dried peaches, strawberries, nuts, granola. Tang.	Peanut Butter and Nutella on crackers	Black Beans with Tortilla	Clif Bar, Jelly Bellies, CytoMax, Propel, GORP

Pictures:

Sherri on our Evolution Valley Climb

Rachel M

Ray M

Evolution Creek