PCT day 41 - mile 835 to mile 862 (Muir Pass)

"We will miss Sierras, in the desert everyone was like: Where the fuck is water?! In Oregon everyone will be like: Where the fuck are mountains?!" Energizer Turtle

Easiest day since Forester Pass, but it started in a very draining fashion. During the ascent of Muir Pass it suddenly got cloudy and it started to snow. It carried on snowing for couple of hours and the temperature dropped significantly. I was hiking using only one trekking pole, trying to give the injured hand some rest, it backfired quickly as I stepped on ice covered rock slipped and landed on the injured hand adding few extra cuts to it, and cursing the very moment I stepped on that glissade yesterday.

On top of the pass was a very good Muir themed shelter, I stayed there for a break trying to defrost my hands and face. Snow fields carried on for many miles on the descent, but since the sun never came out and it was still snowing, there was no problems with post holing people seem to have here.

Once the snow patches ended, rest of the day was quite enjoyable, with gentle descent into the green valley. Highlight of the day was definitely the first big river crossing, there was no bridge, tree trunks or stepping stones so everyone had to walk about twenty metres through a river reaching just above knees high and very cold (of course).

My plan to go to Muir Trail Ranch did not work out as apparently they are not opened until June, so I carried on down the trail, looks like my arm is healing well, I will try to hike the remaining two days before reaching the town of Mammoth and changing the dressing.

Oh and apparently I'm a run away from a tramily! (trail family) as the hiker called Energizer Rabbit informed me today, problem being I never knew I was in one in the first place! It formed after bunch of people went to Six Flags resort which I didn't come to and carried on hiking instead (it was in LA RV camp weeks ago). Nothing better than a bit of harmless trail drama, haha.

Muir Pass, snow for miles:
Some of the finer post holes:

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