Miles Hiked: 20.6
Gratitude of the Day: I’m thankful for my “adventure buddy” friends. Those friends that when I approach them with some fun or crazy plan and they immediately say “I’m in”
Selden Pass
I started stirring at 5:20 am but wished I could sleep longer. I lingered around camp making breakfast and hot chocolate and slowly packing up my bag. Finally at 6:30 I told Clancy I’d see him down the trail (I wouldn’t) and started my day off with a 12 mile downhill. This morning the trail was soft dirt/duff as I made my way to the “big” river crossing. I’m a normal PCT year with snow in the Sierra fording Evolution Creek is fear inducing and sometimes requires hikers for hike 1-2 miles upstream along the bank to find a spot to cross that’s only waist deep. This year, I took my shoes and socks off and crossing the 20 foot section with the water gently lapping at my knees. The cool water felt refreshing on the legs, unfortunately on the other side was a swarm of mosquitoes ready to eat is alive. Many of us wear a mosquito headset, I have a mosquito shirt but don’t much like wearing it. I bought deet bug spray because usually I get eaten alive and I’ve noticed that for the most part the mosquitoes around me are more of a “gnat type” nuisance. At Evolution creek Catch (Lauren) caught up with me and we hike at similar paces, for the first time in 58 days I hiked with someone for the majority of the day.
After the river crossing, I followed several waterfalls and hiked out of Kings Canyon National Park crossed a bridge and found myself now in the John Muir Wilderness of the Sierra National Forest. The day was walking in and out of large western ciders that I’d have to crane my neck skyward just to glimpse how big they were, makes one feel insignificant knowing how old these trees must be. The nice thing about walking amongst these giants is usually the trail is soft and had a small layer of pine needles which makes for easier walking.
The downhill ended at the Muir Trail Ranch cutoff, and then it was the start of a new uphill and pass. 8 miles of switchbacks, beautiful alpine lakes (Sallie Keys and Heart Lake), and streams guided Catch and I up the 3200 feet and for me at mile 20 for the day I created the top of Selden pass and got yet another spectacular view, this one of Marie Lake. The rest of the Ambassador crew were camped just down the trail a mile and Catch and I would join them.
The granite camp spot boasted spectacular views of Marie Lake but the mosquitoes were still out in force. I put in my gortex rainjacket, pants and reapplied deet to my bald head and hands. Everyone else took similar measures. At one point Baewatch had so many mosquitoes on him it was comical, they couldn’t bite him because of all his gear but even so they are a pester. Sunset tonight was a watercolor of pink clouds with mountains in the background with lake Marie taking on some pink tones with its vibrant blue. Overall a beautiful setting minus the blood suckers. Tomorrow I’ll make it into Vermilion Valley Resort for a small resupply, hopefully an ice cold coke and beer and perhaps a shower.
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