Outdoor Adventures with Ancient Brit
PCT 2002 - June 13th
Day 58: Thursday 13th June
Evolution Meadow – Sally Keyes Lakes
In the early morning I made my way down the San Joaquin River to the Muir Trail
Ranch where I had a supply bag. This ranch, in the wilderness, was primarily a base for
horse-riding expeditions into Evolution Valley. They are willing to pack in supplies from
Florence Lake up to the ranch at the extortionate price of $40/bag. Their season was
about to start that weekend so the owners were busy on final preparations for their
visitors. I had hoped to spend the day, across the River from the ranch, at the Blaney
Meadow Hot Springs, where there are hot pools as well as a small lake, which was kept
pleasantly warm for swimming by the hot springs coming up under the lake.
Unfortunately the river looked dangerous to cross. At the ranch they suggested I try
crossing on a log upstream, but getting down the crag to this log looked very precarious. I
met the two Joes dropping down to the ranch. They were braver, or more foolish, than me
because they spent the afternoon at the hot springs. Later, when I met Ben further
north, I learnt that he had fallen in when attempting to cross on another half-submerged
log and been swept several hundred yards downstream before getting ashore.
It was very hot as I started on the 3,500ft climb up to Selden Pass. I stopped at
Senger Creek, feeling exhausted and dehydrated, but I recovered with dinner and a
couple of pints of tea and I decided to continue up to the Sally Keyes Lakes where I
camped, as it was getting dark.
Day 58:15.8 miles 8.45 hours Camp: Sally Keyes Lake
Evolution Meadow – Sally Keyes Lakes
In the early morning I made my way down the San Joaquin River to the Muir Trail
Ranch where I had a supply bag. This ranch, in the wilderness, was primarily a base for
horse-riding expeditions into Evolution Valley. They are willing to pack in supplies from
Florence Lake up to the ranch at the extortionate price of $40/bag. Their season was
about to start that weekend so the owners were busy on final preparations for their
visitors. I had hoped to spend the day, across the River from the ranch, at the Blaney
Meadow Hot Springs, where there are hot pools as well as a small lake, which was kept
pleasantly warm for swimming by the hot springs coming up under the lake.
Unfortunately the river looked dangerous to cross. At the ranch they suggested I try
crossing on a log upstream, but getting down the crag to this log looked very precarious. I
met the two Joes dropping down to the ranch. They were braver, or more foolish, than me
because they spent the afternoon at the hot springs. Later, when I met Ben further
north, I learnt that he had fallen in when attempting to cross on another half-submerged
log and been swept several hundred yards downstream before getting ashore.
It was very hot as I started on the 3,500ft climb up to Selden Pass. I stopped at
Senger Creek, feeling exhausted and dehydrated, but I recovered with dinner and a
couple of pints of tea and I decided to continue up to the Sally Keyes Lakes where I
camped, as it was getting dark.
Day 58:15.8 miles 8.45 hours Camp: Sally Keyes Lake
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San Joaquin River
Ascent route from
San Joaquin River
San Joaquin River