Seldon Pass to VVR Ranch. Mile 878

Here is a perfect example of a raging river. Luckily, we either crossed rivers like this at their origins or there is a bridge. This is Evolution Creek. We crossed it in a Meadow a mile or so before. It was up to our navel in the early morning. Cold, cold, cold.

All day we moved towards Seldon Pass. It was a smooth downhill leading up to a billion switchbacks in the hot sun. Every time we drop below 8,000 ft the temperature sky rockets. Not to mention, so does the number of mosquitos. 

Cathy is expertly rock hopping a stream between lakes. Rock hopping is a must have skill if you ever hope to have dry socks. It is record breaking how much water there is in the Sierras. 

One of the Sallie Keyes Lakes reflects the sky as the sun sets. 

Heart Lake sits right before Seldon Pass. From above it really does have a heart shape. We found little nooks in the rocks above the lake and cowboy camped for the night.

The setting sun really did provide a show as we settle down for the night. Unfortunately we awoke at 0345 to rain. We quickly packed up our stuff and began with headlamps to summit Seldon Pass. 

I have no pictures of coming up Seldon Pass, it was 04 dark thirty and pictures cannot happen. But what the rain and time provided was a spellbinding sunrise. Moments like this are what keeps me from turning into emotional stone. The words and pictures never do these moments justice.

Never stopping, we push on. I will admit many stops for flowers. I cannot imagine life without these little displays of fertility and a symbol of life's desire to continue on. Plus, they always give me an excuse to take a breather from the intense hill that is killing my calves. 

We busted butt and completed 15 miles by 1500. We wanted to catch the 1630 ferry to Vermillion Valley Ranch (VVR). I washed my clothes, my body, and managed to get a sunburn while we waited for the ferry. Cathy, always the model, poses for me in this shot. We also cannot forget Aurora, a lovely Chinese American PCT hiker who is sweet as they come. Tim, oblivious JMT hiker, is a perfectly nerdy college graduate that is getting a little taste of the outdoors before, as he puts it, before he is forced into adulting. 

 We got a free beer for simply showing up at VVR, SCORE! We rented a bed in a tent room and had the most amazing dinner and breakfast. In true hiker fashion, we talked about the afterlife with other fellow hikers before falling into a sleep only a bed can provide.