VVR runs a shuttle to Bear Creek Cut-Off Trail. Taking this trail, plus Bear Creek Trail, puts you back on the JMT. You end up just past the switchbacks of Bear Ridge. Some elevation gain is saved using this route, and many JMT hikers do it, so the girls and I didn't mind not hiking the exact JMT for those few miles.
Here's the trailhead for Bear Creek Cut-Off Trail. We were there nice and early, around 7:15.
This trail is fairly flat...
These pine cones were HUGE -- and heavy! If one were to fall on your head, you'd get quite the concussion!
The Cut-Off Trail ends at an intersection...we took a sharp left and continued our hike on the Bear Creek Trail. This trail gently ascends toward the JMT...the views were, as usual, gorgeous.
After 10.2 miles of easy to moderate trekking, we reached the intersection with the JMT. Sage looked at the map while Alex and I had a snack.
Shortly after our break, a trail crew passed. They'd been working at Marie Lake for a few days, and they seemed jovial and polite. There was a ranger with the crew -- after a few minutes of happy conversation, he asked to see my permit. He seemed almost apologetic about asking me...I told him, truthfully, that I really didn't mind. If I have to carry the permit during my entire trip, then I'm more than happy to show it to people.
We continued onward, passing over streams...
...and through Rosemarie Meadow...
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| Sage and Alex in Rosemarie Meadow |
Marie Lake was beautiful, but there were no obvious campsites. Perhaps this was what the trail crew had been doing...returning everything back to nature, and erasing all signs of obvious camping? The girls and I had planned on stopping here for the night, but given the 100% pristine state of the area, we decided to continue up and over nearby Selden Pass. Both girls felt strong, and we had plenty of time before nightfall.
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| Sage at Marie Lake, near Selden Pass |
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| Looking back at Marie Lake |
The climb to Selden Pass felt mellow and short. It was nowhere near as strenuous as Donohue Pass had been, and it was nothing like the passes we had yet to climb.
We met a fellow named Phil on top of the pass. He was a kind fellow and we exchanged pleasantries. We'd see him off and on for the next five or six days.
The girls spent a lot of time taking photos. When they were ready, we headed down...
Sallie Keyes Lakes looked lovely and inviting. The girls and I decided we would definitely sleep there.
Excellent campsites abound in the forested bit of land between the two lakes (you can see the strip of trees in the image above, between the two bodies of water...lots of good camping in there).
At least seven other sets of hikers had arrived before us. We pitched our tent as far away from others as we could in an attempt to respect personal space.
The sun went down soon after we finished our evening chores...
A coyote howled on one side of the lake. Its friend answered from the other side. The girls and I listened happily to the canine conversation until we fell asleep.
JMT Hiking Day #8 (Trip Day #13): Sallie Keyes Lakes to Muir Trail Ranch. Aug. 17, 2014
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