Coed Brenin Enduro 2014

Coed Brenin Enduro 2014

Sunday 22 September 2013

Muir Pass - end of the road

I'm guessing that we all left Muir Trail Ranch with different thoughts zipping around our heads. I started to think about the fact that in a couple of days we would be separating, Abi and myself turning back and hiking out so that we could fly back to the UK, and Janet and Rob carrying on for an extra week to the end of the trail.
The happy bunch

hike time!!
Initially we made slow steady progress because our bags were again loaded up with food, we had a mere 4 days worth, but Janet and Rob were labouring under 10 days worth of food (heavy packs for sure). It was beautiful heading up towards McClure Meadows, but took all day. We passed through 2/3 gates, and I have no idea why there were gates, because it was all mountain terrain, no grazing animals etc. Maybe just land boundaries/ownership.

Abi braving the river crossing!

When we finally got near to McClure the scenery was mind blowing, beautiful meadows, lightly forested on the edges and a river flowing from the cirque of giant Peaks standing guard at the far end of the valley - wow.
McClure Meadow/Evolution Valley

Rob, and great evening light

nice sunset
On our last night camping together we celebrated by sharing a big pan of 'dehydrated/packet potatoes' that Rob had 'nabbed' from a hiker barrel - delicious. It rained in the night and the weather the next day (our last hiking together) was very grey and overcast. In summary very British, and this seemed very fitting and atmospheric.

The scenery got more and more dramatic as we headed higher and passed beautiful lake after beautiful lake. We had to stop a couple of times to put on our waterproofs. Brian and Kevin both made me smile with their comical (but practical) poncho's (but ensured good photo's)!

The bunch in tasteful rain gear!

Above Evolution Lake

Abi taking in the view

The 'BritTrain' powering on... (thanks for the pics Maggie and Brian)
From Wanda Lake we spotted the roof of the Muir Pass shelter on the distant sky line. When we'd planned the hike in the UK, we had carefully worked out that Abi and I could get to Muir Pass, then turn around and hike for 2 days to get to civilisation (of sorts). On paper it seemed very fitting that this would be our end point on the trail, arguably the most iconic pass on the trail, dedicated to the great man himself, and when we arrived it didn't disappoint. We hung out in the shelter and had a cup of tea (of course) before saying our goodbyes and turning back down the trail. It was a very poignant and sad time for us, and we dearly wished we could have carried on, but sadly not this time.

Janet, Rob, Abi, German guy (!) and me at Muir Pass

As we headed back with heavy hearts we dawdled, and kept looking back to the pass. We camped this night above Evolution Lake with no one else around and watched the stars appear (a great spot). The next 2 days passed quite quickly as we headed back to Muir Ranch, then cut off the JMT to Florence Lake and got a water taxi to a 'resort' that basically consisted of a shop that sold, chocolate, crisps, T-shirts, gifts and microwave burritos (weird but good).
4 becomes 2, heading back

Our camp after the group split - beautiful spot at 11,000ft

Very old Juniper Tree, and Abi!

First sight of Florence Lake (after losing the trail earlier)

Now, where's he ferry,can you see the lorry/truck? I've put a red line above it. It was our only clue as to which bit to head to!
 
Radioing for the ferry (speedboat)

Goodbye trail, back to civilisation (well a road) on the far side of the lake
Camped near a car park on our last night was quite a sad affair, and we struggled to muster up an appetite for our last camp meal 'Mary Janes, Mac and Cheese' (disgusting), so we finished the clif bars and waited for our shuttle to arrive the next day to take us on the interesting (single track road) 3 hour drive to Fresno, and onward home.

Well sadly for me this is the last blog post about our time on the JMT. Almost immediately when back in the 'normal' life/routine of work, jobs etc in many respects it seems like you were never away. But I do find that I have been drifting off and dreaming of those halcyon days on the JMT. It was a magical time and I hope we can get back out there again soon.

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