Day 63

17 Miles (Muir Pass)

Muir Pass was the first part of the day. We got started around 8:15, and ran into Trashman at the first stream crossing. We filled up and talked about the next resupply in Mammoth Lakes. His group was going to skip VVR and push through to Mammoth by doing 17’s everyday. We had planned to hit VVR and do a quick nearo with a small resupply to Mammoth. Their plan sounded better. We just have to do a few extra miles each day and we’ll be in Mammoth by Thursday night. So, it was a great stop and chat because we wound up switching plans to get to town sooner. We have enough food to do it, so it should be good. We climbed on, leapfrogging with Trashman for awhile before reaching the pass/hut. Hung out with Shade, Studio 54, Trashman, Patches, and a few others I didn’t know. Good times up there. The rest of the day was descending. Right before we stopped for camp, we crossed Evolution Creek. Finally, the first river we had to ford. It was easy enough, even late in the day when flow would have been highest. This drought year has at least one advantage. We got to camp and saw Pepe was already here and a couple of older JMT hikers. We got water and soaked our feet in the ice cold river next to our campsite. The downhills are tough on the joints, and this river is glorious.