John Muir Trail - Day Seven

We left Purple Lake with a lofty goal of getting to the Lake Edison Junction with the hopes of taking a rest at Vermilion Valley Resort (VVR). We heard a lot of great things about the VVR from hikers going north and I certainly wanted a day off to rest my sore legs!

The day started off with about 500ft of climbing to reach Lake Virginia [74.7 mi, 10330’] – a very beautiful but windy and exposed high elevation lake. There were a few tents up there in the trees and horses running around them. After that came a nice downhill section to Tully Hole and Cascade Valley. The trail wound through a forest and meadow-filled valley surrounded by peaks. I noticed an area on the map called “Horse Heaven” that seemed to correspond to the nicest meadow! After a small snack at the Cascade Valley Junction [77.9 mi, 9190’] we were prepared to start our biggest ascent of the day: Silver Pass. It was a long and slow climb reaching above the tree line and entering a basin full of small lakes.

We stopped for lunch at the Goodale Pass Junction [80.5 mi, 10540’] where we stepped onto the side trail and walked to a small pond full of evolving tadpoles and small frogs. After our Red’s Meadow resupply our lunch menu was primarily tuna and tortillas which was a welcomed change!

After lunch we hiked a short stretch to the top of Silver Pass [81.7 mi, 10740’] which offered panoramic views north and south. From there it was all downhill! I must’ve been mentally prepared for a quick speedy hike downhill because the 3.5 mile section to Mott Lake Junction [85.2 mi, 8990’] seemed SO long. I was even worried at one point that Kristen and I missed a turnoff. We finally found the junction and continued down to our planned campsite at Lake Edison Junction [88.0 mi, 7900’]. On the way down I saw what I think was a weasel, a long skinny animal with red fluffy fur.

After setting up camp we went down to the river for a swim. Since we were down at a lower elevation it was nice and hot in the sun and I managed to go completely under the water for the first time! Sun bathing on the warm rocks after was heaven.