JMT | DAY 10 PIUTE CREEK BRIDGE TO EVOLUTION LAKE
Miles Hiked: 11.4 miles (mm 111.5-123.0)
Elevation: 3,080 ft ascent | 278 ft descent
“IT NEVER RAINS AT NIGHT IN THE SIERRA,” MY FATHER SAID.
Elevation gain, heat, and rain. That pretty much sums up the whole day.
After resupplying at Muir Trail Ranch the day before, there was no place to go but up. The trail traveled along the San Joaquin River, slowly gaining elevation. By mile 4, I followed steep switchbacks for two miles that took me into Evolution Valley.
From there, the gradual climb continued along the valley. Evolution Creek Crossing was simple this year, coming just above my ankles. I switched out to my Shamma Sandals in order to keep my shoes and socks dry. There were several small streams to cross on the way up the valley, but all were simple rock hops. The last few miles were switchbacks once again. Almost 1,000 ft of elevation gain over the last mile.
I met Jeff and Tessa just over a mile from the lake. The thunder was starting to grow and rain started to pour. About 0.6 miles from the lake we took cover, hoping the worst would pass. At a break in the storm we made a break from it, before taking cover once again 0.3 miles from the lake. Soon, the storm slowed and we were able to make it to camp. We worked together to get all three tents set up as the storm cleared. Storm clouds were still in the distance, but for a while we had sun and clear skies. We made dinner, finishing just in time for a second storm to form. “It never rains at night in the Sierra,” my father said. The Sierra says otherwise. We rushed to collect our drying gear and get in our tents before the storm began.
Thunder.
Lightning.
Heavy rain.
Strong winds that threatened to rip the tent lines from under the rocks.
The storm was right above us. The storm continued full force as the sun set over the valley. On one side of the tent: darkness from the clouds above. On the other: bright pink and orange bursting through the sky. It would have been a beautiful sunset had we been able to be outside to see it. Inside the tents, we held up one side in fear that the wind would blow it in. Each of us had issues with our tents, although we were mostly dry.
After 9:00PM, finally some rest.