Muir Pass, the Evolution Basin, and Muir Ranch - Mile 852 and 859.5 - 7/5-6

Going up Muir Pass was a tougher hike than the most recent passes. It was a very rocky hike up to the pass with cairns that gave you some indication of where the trail was in certain spots. On top of Muir was a vast view of big lakes and mountains with a decent amount of snow on them(the most snow seen at any pass). The pass also has an emergency shelter made from stone at the top which provided me an opportunity to climb up and see a little further from a little higher. The long downhill through Evolution Basin was a gradual and gorgeous view of huge lakes, massive rock formations, and plenty of greenery. It was tempting to call it a day around Evolution Lake but I continued on past the lake and further down to a campsite with ample firewood next to a river.

The next day was an important one. Spins and I have wanted to eat voraciously due to the harder terrain but the problem was that we were not physically able to carry out enough food from Independence to Mammoth so we had to skimp on food and were running short...very short. We stopped down at Muir Ranch, a resupply pack station and resort which was rumored to have an impressive hiker box of food for starving PCT hikers. When I got there the hiker box was pretty slim but some JMT hikers gave me a few meals as well as other people almost finished with their trip who loaded us up with dehydrated meals, dried fruit, and nut mixes. Jackpot! Right behind the ranch are natural hot springs as well as a 'warm' lake which had some hot spots from the springs so we took the rest of the day there and relaxed in natural hot springs.