Day 8: Marie Lake to Muir Trail Ranch

Today was a relatively short day compared to the others, actually it would be the shortest day yet! Just a little 8.2 jog down to Muir Trail Ranch, where we would be getting a resupply and a very deserved rest day.

The morning was cold, I made some instant oatmeal and choked it down before packing up camp. Erica and I started off on the trail about 20 minutes after Jeff took off. We were only short 1.5 miles away from the top of Selden Pass, so the climb would be quick.

The trail up to the pass was fairly easy, never getting too steep with it's smooth switchbacks. The top of the pass was pretty cold so I decided to not linger and continue down the other side. The trail descended down to Heart Lake and then cutting through Sallie Keyes Lakes. Looking Southeast from Selden pass was beautiful, with the many lakes and green trees lining the surrounding hills.

Coming down Selden Pass towards Heart Lake

We stopped shortly at Sallie Keyes Lakes to shed some layers since the morning sun was out and beating down on us. The lakes were so clear I could see many fish swimming beneath it's surface. I imagine this would be an ideal place for fisherman along the trail.

John Muir Trail along Sallie Keyes Lakes

We continued down the trail through a few meadows and wooded areas before the trail opened up to a beautiful valley. Down at the bottom, was Muir Trail Ranch. The long switch backs seemed to never end as I descended into the valley. Luckily the sun wouldn't be beating down on the east side of the valley until the afternoon, so I could hike in the shade.

View looking down into a valley. Muir Trail Ranch is down there somewhere!

On my way down to MTR.

The trail then dipped below the treeline, I decided to stop here and wait for Erica. The cut-off trail to Muir Trail Ranch was up ahead and from what I had read, it is very easy to miss. Luckily, we saw hikers coming up the cut-off trail, so it was wasn't hard to find. We hurried down the hill, and the site of the ranch was very relieving. It's amazing how much more enjoyable hiking is when you know there is a fresh resupply and hot springs ahead for you.

We entered the ranch and sat our packs down under some tents. There were a lot of people here, rummaging through the hiker bins and their resupply buckets. I got my resupply and traded some of the items for better items in the hiker bins. The hiker bins are there for "excess" supplies that hikers no longer need, they are free for all hikers to pick up. I had another 6 days worth of food in my resupply, but would only need 3 since I was exiting over Bishop Pass.

Erica entering Muir Trail Ranch

Frizzle and Erica at the resupply station.

Empty resupply buckets.

Hikers picking through the hiker bins.

Muir Trail Ranch is an awesome place, I had never been to a real "ranch" before but this was a great first experience. There were horses grazing, dogs running around, and a very friendly staff, who I later found out were actually the family who lived on the ranch. So cool! They really run a great operation there, they also offer internet access for a small fee!

Muir Trail Ranch Store. With wifi access!

Inside the MTR store. iMac seems a bit out of place in the wilderness huh?

Baby horse at MTR.

Muir Trail Ranch resupply hut.

Erica had reserved a room at the ranch for the night, so Jeff and I set off to find a campsite along the San Joaquin River. We found a couple of good sites but were told by a couple that they were saving them for their friends. This really peeved Jeff and I off, who reserves campsites in the wilderness?

Anyways, we found a campsite close to the river and began to set up camp. Chops just happen to be wondering by shortly after and set up camp near us. Jeff and I then waded across the San Joaquin to Blaney Hot springs, or basically hot tubs in the ground.

It felt so good to get a soak in, and rest the legs up a bit. We met a few other hikers here and had a great time talking with them. Kristen and Brad, who we met going up Silver Pass, showed up and took a soak with us as well.

It was getting dark, so Jeff and I crossed back over the river, made some dinner then went to bed. Tomorrow we would be hiking up to Evolution Valley, one of the most beautiful places I have ever been in my life.

Day Summary:

Miles Hiked: 8.2  mi
Total Miles on JMT: 108.8 mi                                          Day 9: Muir Trail Ranch to Evolution Basin