Rosemarie Meadow to Muir Trail Ranch

Mileage: 9.5 miles (15.3 km), total 114.2 miles (183.8 km)

Today was a much easier (and safer!) day than yesterday although I was still very sore from top to toe after yesterday’s escapades. A hefty dose of Vitamin I was in order before we started our day’s hike but it was still slow going.

From our campsite at Rosemarie Meadow, it was only a short climb to Seldon Pass and it was more or less all downhill from there to Muir Trail Ranch. The day started off with us passing Marie Lake on our way to the pass. Seldon Pass itself at 10,900 ft was relatively easy – in Sierras terms.

After Seldon Pass, it was pretty much downhill all the way to MTR. We passed some beautiful lakes after Seldon with a few creek crossings which I was a little shaky around.

We saw Brad a few times over the day as well as passing the people below who we stopped to have a chat to. We talked a little about how far it was to Muir Trail Ranch (mile, mile and a half..) and in the middle of the conversation they asked what stove I was using. When I mentioned it was a Jetboil, his face dropped a little and he said ‘Well, yeah, that’s what we have to contend with…’.  He then introduced himself as Russ from Trail Designs, maker of Caldera Cones. Russ is also friendly with the Gossamer Gear guys and we noticed that between us we had three different generations of Mariposa packs on. After posing for the obligatory pose with all three packs lined up, it was time to move on.

We then walked down a steep descent into the valley in which Muir Trail Ranch sits. I remember thinking to myself how happy I was to be walking down this rather than up as it was so steep. The hikers we passed looked like they all had heavy packs and had a harried and reddy complexion as they puffed past us on the way up.

Eventually, we reached the bottom and finally got to Muir Trail Ranch. We rang the bell for our arrival and were given the quick tour of the place as well as a glass of lemonade. We booked a log cabin which had a single and a double and was a great spot down by the creek. This would be a beautiful place to come outside of hiking and spend some time away from the world.

The place had a tent sent up by the creek and it was possible to get a massage so we both booked in to have some work done on the hikers strains and sore muscles. Then it was time for dinner and today was the 4th July. The staff had set up tables and chairs and a huge feast outside for all the guests. The food was superb and a real change from my normal fare on the trail.  We were super full after two rounds of burgers, salad and dessert.

We met Eric and his wife who were staying at the Ranch with their young daughter. Eric like myself has a Private Pilot’s Licence so we spent a lot of time talking about our experiences flying. His wife was a former GO at Club Med where I have spent a few family holidays. So a small world indeed. After dinner, it was time to relax a little and then head off to sleep before a big day tomorrow with a full resupply.