Marie Lake to Muir Trail Ranch Resupply and Colby Meadows – John Muir Trail, Day 8
Not many experiences compare to waking up next to a pristine, reflective lake in the heart of the Sierra Nevada Mountains on a crisp, cool morning. Marie Lake is beautiful this morning. The pure, untouched beauty of nature is a humbling experience that never fails to remind me of the majesty and grandeur of our planet. I’m excited about our hike today because we’re headed to Muir Trail Ranch for a resupply. Hopefully, if all goes well, I’ll get to swap out some food.
Seldon Pass to Muir Trail Ranch for our Last JMT Resupply
After spending the night by the lake, Don and I took a short hike up and over Seldon Pass. The scenery is breathtaking – small, crystal-clear lakes and trickling streams abound, and the air is crisp and refreshing.
Our next stop is Muir Trail Ranch, where we pick up our final JMT resupply. The ranch is a haven for weary hikers, offering a range of amenities including a small store, hot springs, and even laundry facilities. I take the opportunity to swap out a few dinners for more palatable options and lighten my pack by leaving behind any unwanted or unneeded items. I also discard some extra batteries and a few Snickers bars, which fellow hikers promptly devour.
Before leaving Muir Trail Ranch resupply, we take a refreshing dip in the pond next to the hot springs. The pond is a quick hike from the ranch on the other side of Bear Creek. While it’s too hot to indulge in the hot spring, the adjacent pond is a welcome reprieve for my tired muscles. I also take the time to fill my air mattress and submerge it in the pond, hoping to find the slow leak, which has been causing me so much discomfort at night. Unfortunately, I had no luck and resigned myself to dealing with the issue for the remainder of the trip.
Muir Trail Ranch to Colby Meadow
Back on the JMT following our resupply, we encounter other adventurers, including Kate Marie (@katemarieadventures), who has been hiking solo off-trail in the High Sierras for six weeks. Her tales of adventure are inspiring and humbling, and I am reminded once again of the incredible connection among hikers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Further down the trail, we meet Gene, a cowboy packing in supplies for another group of hikers. He offers us a cold beer, which we eagerly accept. After some friendly conversation and a brief rest, we continued our hike, finally arriving at Colby Meadows around sunset. We share a campsite with another thru-hiker, and I enjoy a delicious black bean chili dinner – courtesy of Muir Trail Ranch. It’s been an incredible day of hiking the JMT.
Tomorrow, we’ll cross Muir Pass and stop at the historic Muir Hut before reaching camp in Grouse Meadow.
My Backpacking Meal Plan
I had Black bean chili for dinner tonight. Amazing! I can’t express how great it feels to have some new variety in my backpacking food. Now I understand why people leave so many tasty meals at JTM resupply points. Tasty only lasts for a couple of days. After that, you need to change it up. Thank you, Muir Trail Ranch!!!