Northward Over the John Muir Trail 



41 



anyone who has just passed through the Evolution Creek re- 

 gion it must seem incredible that there could be any delay in 

 coming to the conclusion that it should be included in a na- 

 tional park, for it is superlatively park country of vastly great- 

 er value for its scenic wonders and its recreational opportuni- 

 ties than for any commercial uses. I have not mentioned the 

 park heretofore, as this is the first time that we have come up- 

 on its proposed boundaries, with the slight exception of the 

 pass between the Kern and the Kings, where the trail runs for 

 a mile or two on the east side of the crest just outside of the 

 boundary-line. Otherwise the whole region from Mount Whit- 

 ney to the junction of Piute Creek with the South Fork of the 

 San Joaquin is embraced in the limits indorsed by the Sierra 

 Club after years of investigation and consideration. 



Blaney Meadows are privately owned, and the rights of the 

 owners should be regarded. There are two hot springs, one 

 private, the other free for public use. You must be sure to 

 time your arrival there for Saturday. The public spring and 

 camping-grounds are on the left (southerly) bank of the 

 stream, which is fordable at this point. The feed is good and 

 there are plenty of fish. 



Continuing the journey northward, the trail leaves the meadows 

 about a mile down-stream on the right-hand side and begins to 

 climb abruptly up the side of the canon. The trail is steep, and 

 last year it was much in need of brushing out. It will be worse 

 next year unless some work is done on it. After a chmb of 

 some twenty-five hundred feet hanging meadows begin to ap- 

 pear, and presently you are once again on the top of things, out 

 of the woods and among the ''sky parlors." The trail is fre- 

 quently hard to find because of numerous cattle-paths, for this 

 is a cattle country. When in doubt bear a little to the left and 

 you cannot go far wrong — presently you will come upon a 

 group of little lakes between which the trail winds. One of 

 these is named ''Heart Lake" on the map of the United States 

 Geological Survey; nevertheless, a few hundred feet higher, 

 just as you enter upon the final ascent of Seldon Pass, you will 

 find another little lake, barely indicated on the map, which is 

 unmistakably the genuine article. 



Seldon Pass (10,800 feet) is the fourth important pass on 



