Mile 827.0 - 847.2

Guess what? You guessed right, another pass we have to climb today. It's called "Muir Pass" and it's at 12,000'. This is the last of the major snow passes that we know of going north, at least for awhile. We need an easy day just to give our bodies a break.

We started this morning around 8,500' and worked our way to 12,000' in about 6 hours. Yes, a 6 hour climb and this is after a pass a day over the last 4 or 5 days. I would have to say that Muir Pass was one of the harder climbs. It definitely had the most snow to go over and that made finding the trail difficult. Footprints were everywhere so it was hard to pick the ones to follow. Balance did a great job scouting out the route to the top. It just took forever. Days with big climbs means lower total miles, which is fine. We are in the most beautiful area of the PCT so no reason to race through it. We will need to pick up the pace after the Sierras though. Another incredible day on the John Muir Trail (JMT) and the PCT.

Balance making her way up the Muir Pass

One of the many fords we had to cross today. The snow is melting at a rapid rate making all the rivers high.

Imagine traversing miles in deep snow to the summit of a pass.

The John Muir Hut, built in 1932 on the summit of Muir Pass at 12,000'.

Ice covered lakes high on Muir Pass.

Our camping spot tonight. We are tenting just feet from this waterfall.