Northward Over the John Muir Trail 



39 



until the construction of the John Muir Trail that this route 

 became at all practicable for any except the most skillful and 

 intrepid pioneers. A passable trail was completed in 1917, and 

 additional work during the past season of unusual freedom 

 from snow finally opened the way to regular and safe travel. 



In order to make the crossing with full allowance for unex- 

 pected happenings, it is advisable to make an early start. The 

 full distance can undoubtedly be covered in one day from 

 Grouse Valley ; but it is very much better to move up to Little 

 Pete Meadow, or even a few miles farther, and camp close 

 enough to the pass to make the following day's journey a truly 

 enjoyable one. In sheepless years there is good feed at Little 

 Pete. Last year we found it all consumed and had to move up 

 Le Conte Carion to an altitude of a little over ten thousand 

 feet, where we found shelter and a little bunch-grass near a 

 diminutive lake. It was a cold camp last year, and in many 

 seasons would probably be occupied by snow even in August. 

 Unless the conditions are definitely known, therefore, it is best 

 to camp at Little Pete Meadow. 



Just before you reach the crest of the pass on the south side, 

 you come to Helen Lake; on the north side is Wanda Lake. 

 They are named for John Muir's two daughters. The crest of 

 the pass is at an altitude of 12,059 feet. To the west is Mount 

 Goddard (13,555 feet) ; to the south a group of black summits, 

 all about 13,000 feet; and almost overhead to the southeast 

 grimly crouches the Black Giant, otherwise known as Mount 

 Goode (13,312 feet)'. Northward stand the crags of the Evo- 

 lution group : Huxley, Haeckel, Spencer, Darwin, and Wal- 

 lace. Fiske and Powell are even closer. Darwin is the highest, 

 13,841 feet; the others are very nearly as high. As the trail 

 passes below Wanda Lake these peaks are disclosed in ever- 

 changing perspective. It is well that the trail hereabouts is well 

 graded, for the eye becomes fascinated by the spectacular sur- 

 roundings and cannot be spared for such trivial matters as the 

 insurance of the neck. Two small irregular lakes are passed 

 at the base of Mount Huxley, and the trail then descends to 

 Evolution Lake. Camp can be made at the lower end of the 

 lake, although the shelter is scanty. We found the place pre- 

 empted by sheepmen and a band of two thousand head of 



