Day 7 - The last day on the JMT - August 13, 2016

The goal today was to go over Silver Pass and down to Mono Creek Junction, or there about. We had to drop down to Cascade Valley, cross Fish Creek, then crank up and over the pass and then down into the Vermillion Valley.

A last look at Virginia Lake.

This is amazing country to be in, and more amazing to just walk it day after day.

Coming down into Tully Hole.

Walking down Fish Creek and crossing  at the bridge, we began our ascent up to Silver Pass. First to Squaw Lake, at which we stopped and enjoyed the refreshing water and some lunch. Then back to the trail which would take us by a series of high lakes on to the pass.

On the trail above Squaw Lake.

And finally at 10,800' at Silver Pass, with views looking back at country we'd been through

Coming over Silver Pass on the JMT.

and views of places we were going.

View of Vermillion Valley from Silver Pass on the JMT.

Sliver Lake was the last major water on this long and hot trail. Not only that, but the descent to the Mott Lake Junction crashes down out of the high country to join the North Fork of Mono Creek. 

Looking back up the descent to the North Fork of Mono Creek along the JMT.

We managed on down the trail to find a nice campsite. A couple of backcountry rangers with the Forest Service thought we were too close to the trail, so we started the hassle of moving our camp. While doing that I disturbed an ant hill and hundreds of ants swarmed out to find a bivouac, over all our gear causing a lot of consternation. We moved back to where we had been.

Very curious yellow jackets committed suicide in the water boiling up for dinner, though they did not seem at all interested in the vegetarian fare. With the various dramas done for the night, a cup of tea was extremely welcome.

Steph and I discussed the strategy for the morning, light breakfast and getting on the trail as early as possible to get to the water taxi on Lake Edison in the morning, a luxury to transport us to the VVR. 

This day we had hiked 11.7 miles with 3,100' elevation gained and 5,100' lost. The day 7 kml file.