Day 8 - Muir Pass — Walking People Out of Poverty

Start Time 7 am

End Time 6 pm

Start Mileage 836.3

End Mileage 849.6

Distance Walked Miles 13.3

Elevation Gain Feet 1877

We left at 7 am as we had a big climb today. We were heading up the fabled Muir Pass which stands at an elevation of 11970 feet. To reach the top from our campsite we had to climb 1488 feet.

As has become the custom, the plan was to walk 2-3 miles before stopping for breakfast, that way we could get some miles in before the heat of the day started to build.

The beginning of today’s walk was very nice and we entered a pretty valley that started to lead us toward our destination. Unfortunately, it was going to be a marathon and not a sprint. We eventually reached a pretty lake named Helen, named after John Muir’s wife and Huckleberry couldn’t resist the urge to plunge in.

After a short break, we were on the move and walked alongside Helen Lake before reaching a 2nd lake called Wanda, and again Huckleberry plunged in.

After Huckleberry’s dip, it was time to get to the pass so we put the pedal to the metal. Every pass in the Sierras is a major challenge and there are no easy ways to ascend. We believe Traveler has a format best suited to getting to the top, and that is to try and get to within 2-3 miles of the summit before camping, then next morning try and get out early enough to beat the heat.

We would always try and have breakfast a mile or so from the top and then strike out. We eventually reached the top and were greeted with a beautiful old stone building dedicated to John Muir. It is circular and has a stable door that is locked shut at the bottom. The top can be opened so you can view inside but all you can see is a circular room with a fireplace and a hand-built stone seating area that runs around 3/4’s of the room.

There were also two rather lazy Marmots hanging around that had no fear of people. The view down the way we were headed was spectacular and was worthy of a camera shot which you will find at the end of this post. As you will see there is zero shade and it’s a long valley to walk through.

After having a look around and a quick drink it was time to head down. The walk was long and hot with zero by the way of shade, but we stuck to the task at hand. Along the way, we passed some beautiful lakes and now and then I doffed my cap to get it wet and stick it bank upon my head. It was so refreshing. I

It was a long, long walk down but with a nasty incline towards the end. By this time Huckleberry had taken a third dip in Evolution Lake, which was arguably the prettiest of the 3 lakes. I’m thinking we should change Dan's trail name from Huckleberry to Water Baby, as you just can’t keep him out of the water!

We now had a push on to get to our campsite and finally arrived at around 6 pm. It had been a long day but the views and scenery made it all worthwhile.