(Mile 845.5,
Evolution Creek to 859.5, Muir Trail Ranch = 15 miles)
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| Gumby wading across Evolution Creek. |
We are up on a
little ridge above the river between Muir Trail Ranch and Blaney Hot
Springs. It has been a wonderful
afternoon and evening. Phew!
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| Kindergarten Cop snapping photos. A gorgeous river. |
See, most PCT
hikers elect to resupply at Independence, Bishop, or Lone Pine in this
section. And then they resupply again at
Vermilion Valley Resort and perhaps Reds Meadow or Mammoth. When I planned this trip, I planned no such
thing. We just completed nearly eleven
days of Sierra hiking without a town stop.
And we have just resupplied, but we have still not left trail. In reading all of the information, a little
resupply option called Muir Trail Ranch caught my eye. It was a mile and a half off trail and
accepted packages -- with a laundry list of instructions. But it meant staying in trail without a
15-mile extra hike round-trip and without hitchhiking or paying to stay in
town. It sounded good. Ish.
It also sounded like a possible disaster. No showers.
No laundry. No food. No cell service. No overnight option. And a strict resupply box outline.
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| We passed a pack train! |
But! It was wonderful! Just ring the bell, and Patt comes out to get
your bucket for you. She points you to
fresh spring water and a picnic table with canopy shade while she rounds up your
bucket. They take your trash and extra
hiker supplies. You can charge your
electronics, use email for a pretty penny, and shop in their small but
reasonable store (considering). You can
also admire their horses and play fetch with one or all of the four friendly
dogs. It is an interesting off-the-grid
place. Patt pointed us towards a perfect
camping spot by the river and gave us the low-down on the hot springs.
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| Cold, clear, Sierra waters. |
No, Muir Trail
Ranch as a resupply isn't fancy. And no,
there are no real amenities. But the
river is wild, the camping is private, and the people are pleasantly country
professional. Bath time will be a dip in
the hot springs and laundry will be washed in bear vaults and dried in the sun. It is a rustic, peaceful resupply. And, if you are game for that, then this is a
little slice of Sierra heaven.
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| Whoo! I've wanted to see this area for awhile. |
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| Welcome to Muir Trail Ranch! |
A quote from my day going through Evolution Creek, which was 2-3 times wider last year..."We were relieved to find that crossing Evolution Creek wasn’t too bad.The current had some force to it and it got up to my belly button at one part. I’m glad we got that one out the way cause it’s one of the big name fords."
ReplyDeleteAlso, I always wondered about Muir Trail Ranch. Nice to hear about it. Also, Kudos on the 11 days between resupply!
Oh, I can't even imagine. Water to our shins. You had SUCH a tougher trip!
DeleteWhat a beautiful place for a ranch! The winters must be rough with all the snow. I like the fact that you were able to stop there instead of going into town. Lou
ReplyDeleteHello Bacon Bit, I met Kindergarden Cop, Gumby and You at the Ranch while I was doing the JMT. While it was great getting supplies from the ranch which is a fantastic place - it was the three of you that energized it. It's exciting to see your blog and you are truly and inspiration - Thank You. Root Beer.
ReplyDeleteRoot Beer!
DeleteOf course! You had the best hiker box donations on the trail! How was the rest of your hike? Gumby and I finished in Sept 27. Kindergarten Cop had something come up at home and is coming back next year.
Merry Christmas!
Bacon Bit