That stretch on the JMT near Muir Pass nearly broke me

Last August I was hiking the John Muir Trail and hit a 12 mile stretch between Muir Pass and Evolution Creek that was brutal. Sun was beating down, no shade, and my water filter clogged halfway through. I ended up rationing my last liter for 6 hours until I reached the creek. Anyone else ever hit a section that just drained everything out of you?

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3 Comments

anthonyhunt5mo ago

I read somewhere last year that Muir Pass is actually the highest point on the JMT, sitting right around 11,955 feet. That 12 mile stretch you're talking about, I've heard it called the "Evolution Valley gauntlet" by a few people on a backpacking forum I follow. The combination of no shade and a broken filter sounds like a nightmare, especially with that exposed granite reflecting the heat right back at you. I remember a guy talking about how the mosquitoes near Evolution Creek are so thick you break out into a sweat trying to keep them off, which just makes you thirstier. Rationing that last liter, man, that's the kind of thing that teaches you to carry two backup purification methods no matter how reliable your main one is supposed to be.

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owens.willow4mo ago

Evolution Valley gauntlet" is a perfect name for it honestly. But the thing nobody talks about is how the heat bounces off that granite and messes with your head way before you even run out of water. Like you start making bad decisions because your brain is literally cooking.

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shane2445mo ago

@anthonyhunt next time just bring a backup filter so you don't have to play desert survival bingo with your own spit.

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