John Muir Trail Trip Report

Day 3

8.4 miles

August 22, 2011

Rush Creek
to Ediza Lake Trail junction





Day 3 Profile
JMT Day 3

Day 3
MapSource
Day 3
Google Maps Terrain
Up at 6am, hiking at 8am. Temps went down to 41 last night. I tried using my bag as a quilt/blanket, and it worked perfectly. My Exped Synmat UL7 insulated me from the ground and was super comfortable. I slept like a baby! I don't usually have a hot breakfast but since my hiking partner likes coffee and oatmeal in the morning, I took the time and had coffee and instant breakfast. It is taking us a bit longer to break camp, but that is fine.

Hiking to Island Pass
  Hiking to Island Pass
Island Pass
  Island Pass
Island Pass
  Island Pass


After a short climb, we reached Island Pass around 9am. The climb seemed easy since we did it first thing in the morning when we were rested. The view of the mountains, lake and snow from Island Pass was simply incredible. Clouds are starting to build in the early afternoon, which usually means we can expect some rain in a couple of days. The clouds add an additional layer of magic to the photos! Of course, Thousand Island Lake and Garnet Lake were highlights of the day. We watched a packer crossing the outlet to Garnet Lake. His horse did NOT want to cross. There is a log bridge for people, but the pack teams use a crossing just past the bridge.
Thousand Island Lake
Thousand Island Lake
Thousand Island Lake
Thousand Island Lake

If you only have a few days to hike, this is one of the areas I would highly recommend. The scenery along this section of trail is beyond words.

Algae covered snow
Algae covered snow

Ruby Lake
Ruby Lake
Garnet Lake
Garnet Lake



Garnet Lake
Garnet Lake
Garnet Lake
Garnet Lake


Finally, we descended to just before the Ediza Lake Junction and made camp for the night. It was 4pm, and we were tired. I really wanted to be at Reds tomorrow, but we just didn't make the miles I had planned. It is another 11 miles from here to Reds, so we might make it, but it would mean a long day tomorrow. I carried water from the stream to a granite rock above our campsite and washed my clothes (and me!). I can only take about 3 days of dirt before I have to at least rinse off. I use 2.5 gallon freezer bags as a wash and rinse system (Keeps the biodegradable soap out of the lakes and rivers). My bear can works great for a bear can bath! Split pea soup with cut up summer sausage in it for dinner. Very tasty! I still have my appetite, which I am thankful for. I expect to lose it soon, since this happens every trip, but I will enjoy it while the food still tastes good!
JMT
Cool pic
JMT
Vic Overlooking Valley








Previous Day
Next Day
Previous day
Next day



Videos from Day 3





Additional pictures from Day 3