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

July 2, 2013 - Virginia Lake

Title: July 2, 2013 - Virginia Lake
 

Hike Info:

Trail:  JMT to Virginia Lake

Starting location:  Deer Creek

Destination:  Virginia Lake

Distance:    9.9 miles  ¹

Start Time:  7:45

End Time:   4:10

Travel Time: 7:55 (1.25 mph)

Moving Time: 4:57 (2.0 mph) 

Elevation Rise:   2,089'   ¹  

Maximum Elevation:  10,499' ¹


Additional pictures can be found at the bottom of this page.
 

Description:

Got up a few minutes early. Skies, while not completely clear are almost. Had a nice quiet time with some hymns thrown in.

Today we had our first mechanical breakdown of the trip. The JetBoil would sputter and stop, or flame up. I ended up dismantling the burner and blowing through parts of it. After putting it back together again, it roared to life.  Success for today.

We get out of camp around 7:45, with Nicole. Fritz left a little before us. We immediately cross Deer Creek (37.56362N, 119.03418W). Then start an 1200', five mile rise up to Duck Creek. Most of the rise  comes in the first two miles. 

Fish Creek Valley

During one of the rest breaks, Nicole says that her pole's adjustment has broken.  Looking at it the lower shaft's plastic screw has broken loose from its top. Neither Fritz nor I can figure out how to reconnect it. So we duct tape it together at a lower setting. Nicole just has to make due.

Once we get up to around 9900' the scenery is really wonderful. You look across this expansive valley and see the range across the way.  You feel like you are in a magical setting. How the mountains rise from the green valley. That valley houses Fish Creek--we will be walking beside it all of today. Amongst this, Sherri and I have a minor celebration about making it farther than last year. Life is so good!

Rain Clouds

As we walk, I have been thinking about what would David or Dad do with Nicole's pole? The thought hits me. So when we get to Duck Creek and take a lunch break, I go out and find a straight piece of wood, about the length and size of the shaft. Then whittle it into shape. The stick  gets jammed into the shaft and I re-attach the lower shaft. Wola! A working walking pole! Nicole is amazed-so am I.

The Rains Came

About this time another JMTer comes up, Evan. His hiking partner has walked out on him. So he is rushing to finish the JMT. But he walks with us for awhile. About that time, the clouds which has been forming breaks lose. Ponchos, rain jackets and pack overs all come on.  It rains pretty good for 40 minutes or so. But the rain brings its own beauty.

Purple Lake

As we approach Purple Lake, the rain stops and the sun comes out. By the time Sherri and I catch up to Fritz, Nicole and Evan, they have their rain gear off. We follow suit. Purple Lake is nice looking. Nicole and Evan take off, and we do not see them again today.

Fritz and us play leap frog as we climb 500+' out of Purple Lake. This last effort is tiring to us, but the area is one which we are interested in seeing a bit more. So when we descend into Lake Virgina, Sherri and I take our leave of Fritz. He invites us to room with his wife and him when we get to VVR. I think we will take him up on the offer.

Lake Virginia

Lake Virginia(37.51449N, 118.93292W) is really picturesque. We are so glad we stopped. We have the time. I even get a chance to rinse the dirt off my legs. After our beef stroganoff dinner we walk around the lake and talk. The evening ends with another showing of a MacGyver episode, but not before being treated to a spectacular sunset.

Today's JMT Lesson:  Preparedness is much of innovation.

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

 ¹The supplied figures above come from either the book John Muir Trail: The essential guide to hiking America's most famous trail by Elizabeth Wenk or from topo maps. There were no tracks for today from my GPS. Below is the readings from today's status on the GPS. I view it as only somewhat accurate.

Distance:  9.8 miles

Moving Time:  4:57 (1.97 mph)

Elevation Rise: 1,293'

Additional Pictures:

Mountain Walking

Walking the Trail-Fritz, Nicole and Sherri

Gap we walked through

Purple Lake Basin

Fritz at Lake Virginia

Tent at sunset-Lake Virginia

Place: CA-Duck Creek

Duck Creek, Lake (Crystal Crag 7.5')
(Long, Lat)

Description:


Trips:

• July 2, 2013 - JMT
• July 2007

Pictures:

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References:

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