TR: JMT South Lake to Happy Isles 7/18-8/1/20

[jimmyjamhikes]

I am the kind of person that jumps in the deep end before learning how to swim.

As a result, many times in my life after muddling my way through situations I don't know how to handle, I have back-tracked to more basic experiences and then thought "Hey! It would have been a lot better to start over here...."

So it goes.

With that context in mind, I give you a trip report about a two-week journey on the John Muir Trail.

No backcountry passes. No crampons or ice axes. Just a lovely walk through the woods.

https://jimmyjamhikingclub.com/jmt-sout ... ppy-isles/

As it turns out, this year was a really good year to go. Every ranger we spoke with talked about how empty the place was. We only camped near others on two nights, and that's without looking very hard away from popular sites near the trail.

Here are some of my favorite pictures from the trip:


Tarn below Chocolate Peak


Columbines!


Swimming in Dusy Basin (I swam every single day of the trip!)


Helen Lake


My first-ever view of the Muir Hut


Goddard Canyon


Marie Lakes


Richardson's Germanium


Hail hike!


Virginia Lake


That hiker REALLY needs a shower....


Shadow Creek


Garnet Lake


Donahue Peak


Lyell Fork


Lower Cathedral Lake


Fellow hikers, heading towards Half Dome


Half Dome, Mount Broderick, Liberty Cap, and Nevada Falls

[neil d]

Exceptional photos! Really like the one of Lyell Fork.

[Harlen]

Fantastic- and you saw BEARS!! I too love the Lyell Fork shot, and the last one of Half Dome to the falls... and the geranium, and those columbine!... and the one of your freezing your arse in the lake, with that painful, suffering smile on your face-- you're not fooling anyone Jim.
Isn't it great to go on a long trip? Cheers, Ian.

[texan]

Thanks for the TR and the photos are great!

Texan

[Harlen]

...and so many more fantastic pictures in your blog! How did the Hermit photo not make the cut? And the reflection shot of Mendel-Darwin? As a bit of a botany photo nerd, I also really appreciate the sharp photo of the Ranger buttons- well done!

You mention that after taking yet another swim, you lost the previous bug stress; this is because you had now put yourself in a life and death situation! You're not meant to swim way the hell out Jim; a Sierra swim is this: dive in parallel to the bank, immediately claw your way back to land; jump around cussing till warm again.... wait 5 or 6 days, then do it again. It does look like you all had a great time.

[sekihiker]

I just clicked your link and went through the whole report. It was like a virtual trip with all the reminders of what really happens on the trail. Thanks for posting all the photos and sharing the lows as well as the highs - and all the in-betweens. This report is the next best thing to getting out on the trail.

[jimmyjamhikes]

Thanks so much for all the replies! I love this group.

[balzaccom]

Really nice. And it looks like you usually had great weather...no smoke!

[kpeter]

Beautiful report. Fun to see some familiar places!

[windknot]

Thanks for the gorgeous photos. You must have a much stronger pain/cold tolerance than I to swim in those lakes. In that picture of Lower Cathedral Lake, are you using your sleeping pad as a floatation device?? Can't believe I've never thought of that before.