Hike4Ward: Day 12. Aug 10: Evolution Lake to Big Pete Meadow. 13 Miles

I was freezing last night. Temps were down around 32 with a crystal clear sky. Its becoming evident that I am a lousy tent sleeper. Not the best attribute for a multi-week hiker. After a second sleepless night in a row I was up and on my way to Muir Pass and the famous Muir Hut at around 12,000'.

As I left my tree sheltered camp, little did I realize that I would not come close to another tree for the next 10 miles. The trail along Evolution lake is a deceiving start. It is scenic and tranquil. Soon the trail starts up to Sapphire where it becomes a carpet of boulders and wide open space surrounded by stunning peaks that make up the Goddard Divide. Wanda Lake stretches out in front of you and points to the bare steep slope that is Muir Pass.

Walking near Wanda. Muir Pass straight ahead

Wanda Lake

Muir Pass looking back to Wanda in the distance

The Muir Hut was being renovated by three NPS Rangers that lived in a small tent behind the hut. It was great to finally see it in person. Like a small stone igloo perched defiantly below the giant peaks of the Divide.


Muir Hut (I was hoping for a Pizza Hut)

Rangers at work

The trail down past Helen Lake was a surprise. No one ever talks about it. No one seems to post photos of it. Perhaps for the same reason I disliked it so much. I gave it the name "The Furnace." It was at least 2 miles of lifeless hot black and brown rock. The ground seemed to have just extruded mounds of jagged scrabble of sharp rock that made for perilous footing on a narrow and ill defined trail.

Entering "The Furnace"

2 miles of this ragged trail

A river of rock

The small stream that trickled through this section finally produced some flowers, a small lake and trees that would define the Le Conte canyon I was now in. I finally reached my camp at Big Pete Meadow. From this point I will be able reach Upper Palisades Lake a day early.