6/26/16 - Day 16 - Evolution Lake to Campsite South of Seldon Pass

Day 16

Daily Miles: 19.8

Total Miles: 225.9

Today was a day I had been thinking about for over 8 years.  One of the most challenging parts of the Sierras are the fords.  The most famous ford (though maybe not the hardest) is Evolution Creek.  I was going to get to cross it today.  In high snow years, the creek can be up and over waist high depending on your height.  I really wasn't sure what to expect from this year because even though it has been snowier than the last few years, it really hasn't been considered an actual high snow year.  Still, I have seen lots of snow, so it might be challenging.

I got a pretty early start because its better to hit fords in the morning before snow starts melting and the river levels rise.  I made it to the river around 10:30AM and had a decision to make.  There are actually 2 places to cross on the trail.  There is the main trail and there is a "high water route."  I figured I would play it safe and take the later just in case.

 

Probably the right choice because even though the water was pretty placid at the high water crossing, it was still deep enough to get up to my upper thighs.

After a short early lunch there it was more down and down as I slowly started to work my way towards exiting Kings Canyon National Park.  Leaving the park brought me into the John Muir Wilderness.

 

 

 

The best part about today was that there were no passes to cross since the first day in the Sierras, but I still had a long climb up to end the day.  Even though I didn't have to cross a pass, I wanted to get as close to the next one (Selden Pass) as possible so I could finally do a pass in the morning the next day.  Also, I was planning to go in to Vermillion Valley Resort (V.V.R.) tomorrow to resupply, shower and, do laundry so the farther I got today the earlier I could get there tomorrow.

Pushing on into the twilight, I made the climb up over 2200 ft. To get to the last established campsites before the pass around 7:45. It was a long, hot day but tomorrow I would get real food and a chance to clean up.

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