John Muir Trail Trip Report

Day 12

August 31, 2011

Just after Starr Camp to
just past Deer Meadow

13.1 miles

Day 12 Profile

MapSource

Google Maps Terrain

44 low last night Up a bit late today. Hiked from 7:45am to 3:45pm. Today started easy. The trail was in great shape, downhill and easy to hike on. It was so cool to see the birthplace of the Kings River. I am old friends with this river, since the South Fork goes through Cedar Grove in Kings Canyon NP. Waterfalls everywhere... Granite mountains towering over me... Big and Little Pete Meadows were stunning. I passed by the junction to the LeConte Ranger station, and signed in the register book at the trail.

Just past Starr Camp
Middle Fork Kings River

Little Pete Meadow

It was downhill until the junction of the Kings and Palisade rivers, then I started the uphill hike that would lead to Mather Pass (tomorrow). I stopped for lunch at the trail junction. The climb was not hard, but it I was hot and tired by this time so I took a refreshing dip in the Palisade River. Re-energized me for the final stretch! I wanted to get as close to the Golden Staircase as I could, so that I was climbing first thing in the morning. I had planned on stopping at Deer Meadow but I pushed it a bit farther and stopped at the last level spot before the Staircase. Near Wenk site 8.26, a little off the trail, and it looks like a packer’s camp (8973 ft elevation). Not a great site, but it will do...

Deer in meadow

Little Pete Meadow

I cooked MH Beef Teryaki for dinner. Yuck. I tried to eat one bite and just couldn't get it down. Looks like I have, once again, lost my appetite. No dinner for this hiker. Since I am NOT hungry, no problem except that I have a big day planned tomorrow and will need energy to get over Mather Pass...

Towering above me
LeConte Ranger Station

Snake!

Mosquitoes were thick as the evening set in. I used the mosquito coils and they helped. I don't typically have a campfire when I am hiking, but I was hoping it would help fend off the mosquitoes.
I did laundry (in my 2.5 gal zip lock bags) and took a bear can bath. Seems funny, I love hiking and being here, but I HATE being dirty. After about 2 or 3 days of grime I just can't take it anymore. Rinsing off in fresh water helps, but eventually I need to make friends with my bio-degradable soap once again. I know some folks are against any sort of soap in the backcountry. I do take care to make sure it stays well away from any water source, but I ain't leaving home without it!

Just past the Dusty Basin trail junction

Grouse Meadow