The John Muir Trail 2017 – Northbound
Day 7 – August 14, 2017
McClure Meadow to Muir Trail Ranch (tour of MTR)
Having completed the highly anticipated Muir Pass the previous day, I set off almost entirely downhill to my first resupply stop – Muir Trail Ranch. Along this route, I continue down through Evolution Basin, fording Evolution Creek at the shallower meadow crossing and following the trail to where it meets up with the South Fork of the San Joaquin River. I encounter multiple footbridges and stay close to water all day, passing the Piute Creek junction and continuing along the JMT to the south cutoff trail to Muir Trail Ranch.
Enjoy the tour of all of the amenities at MTR that comes with a reservation. I reserved my hiker cabin back in March to guarantee availability in August and it was worth every penny. Meals and unlimited lemonade are included with your reservation, and you get 24 hour access to their 2 beautiful onsite hot springs. Lounge access is also 24 hours, providing a comfortable place to sit and relax with a large selection of books. There is also a manual laundry machine, clotheslines, pit toilets, and fresh spring water. I spotted my first Sierra black bear at about 9pm this evening while I was spending some time around the campfire. It came down to investigate the burger grease left over on the grill and went on its way into the meadow below the hot springs.
In 2017, I completed the John Muir Trail on a long northbound section starting at Onion Valley, where I left off in 2016, and finishing in Happy Isles in Yosemite. Here is part of my 14 day journey to complete the trail.
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Music courtesy of Epic Sound
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