

Jagged and dark peaks stand like sentinels with snowfields softening their guard, lush alpine meadows invite you to skip through them and lakes reflect the sunlight back with dense laser beams of blue. The beauty is astounding and leaves it’s mark on many a soul.

This is where we walk today. Yes we will be on the John Muir Trail/Pacific Crest Trail for ten miles and yes there will be people. But it is Evolution Basin and Muir Pass. Classic high Sierra and loved intensely. After ten miles we will head off the John Muir Trail and hike up to the Darwin Bench.

The Muir Hut on the pass is a classic historic place built in 1930 by the Sierra Club for travelers who may be caught in the elements. The stones in the roof are arranged in a spiral and it blends well into the surroundings. We went inside and looked around when we did the John Muir Trail two years ago but this time the bottom part of the door is stuck so we leave it be and don’t linger. The wind is pushing us onward.

Down we go into the Evolution Basin and pass by the beautiful lakes of McDermand, Wanda and Sapphire. Then onto Evolution Lake.


I am not feeling well today and really feel it as we start climbing up to Darwin Bench. I have had the runs and stomach cramps for about eight days. I am now worried that I need to get medication or fear it may be giardia. I put it out of my mind for now but we may need to figure out what to do.

Darwin Bench is gorgeous and we decide to stop at Lake 11,540 below Muriel Peak and the Glacier Divide.

The Sierra High Route from Darwin Bench climbs over Alpine Col next, a tough off-route pass with a lot of talus and boulder scrambling. Ray and I decide to save this pass for tomorrow and discuss options of getting me out to see a doctor as I have now been sick for eight days.
Video Clip of the Day: Muir Pass
Looks fantastic!
The VLOGs make the viewing experience extremely intimate. Thank you.