Spent 4 hours fixing a water crossing on the PCT last summer

I was hiking the John Muir Trail section near Evolution Creek and the normal crossing was way too high from snowmelt. Took me 2 hours just scouting up and down the bank for a safer spot. Then another 2 hours trying to keep my gear dry while crossing on a fallen log. By the time I got across it was almost dark and I had to set up camp in a hurry. Anyone else ever waste half a day on a single creek crossing?

2 comments

2 Comments

foster.ruby2d ago

Honestly, Evolution Creek is a beast that year. I think you might be mixing up the trails a bit though. The John Muir Trail goes right through Evolution Valley, but the PCT actually shares that same stretch for miles so it's basically the same crossing. I did that exact log crossing two summers ago near the Evolution Creek trail bridge that was washed out. It took me three tries to get across without soaking my whole pack.

umab862d ago

Oh man, Evolution Creek got me good last year too. I tried to do that log crossing and ended up with one foot in the water and the other on the log, looking like a confused flamingo for a solid minute. My best trick is to just take my shoes off and wade through, because apparently I can't be trusted with balancing acts.