Evolution Lake panorama
Friday, 05 Aug 9.0 miles, 6:00
Chelsea at McClure Meadow
We are camped at Sapphire Lake in Evolution Basin. If someone told me that there is a more spectacular location on this planet I would not believe them. Our hike today began at 7:40 and we climbed gently, almost imperceptibly up Evolution Valley. We came soon to McClure Meadow, fenced with high ridges and bearing Evolution Creek along its way, here winding, lazy and shallow, through a sun-filled meadow. We chatted with Ranger Dave and he gave us good information on the upcoming passes. Some time later our climb for the day began: one thousand feet up two miles of switchbacks. Here we caught A&R. The climb went faster than I expected - I should be used to that by now - and we soon emerged into the breathtaking Evolution Basin.
Sapphire Lake campsite
The trail leveled out mostly and we meandered through a rich assortment of wildflowers and stunted trees. I saw a Lemmon’s Paintbrush (Castilleja lemmonii), striking for its rich magenta blooms; Muir’s Ivesia (Ivesia muirii), with its fascinating, worm-like foliage; and buttery yellow Western Wallflower (Erysimum capitatum). Peaks and ridges towered one or two thousand feet above us as we skirted just below eleven thousand feet. The trail edged along the north and then the east shores of Evolution Lake, crossing a few short snowfields. We took our time through here trying to take in every angle. We leapfrogged with A&R as I paused often to take pictures. Reniero passed, aiming to get over Muir Pass today. We ambled on, eventually coming to Sapphire Lake at 13:40 and relaxed on glacier-polished rocks in the sun, chatting and absorbing our surroundings. Gail and Lynn arrived later Several others arrived much later in the day, including a family group of four (two Americans and two Italians) that we had leap-frogged a couple times. Late in the evening we were treated to a show of alpenglow upon Mts Huxley and Fiske. They were bathed in warm, crimson sunlight while we shivered in near dark shadow. It was a magical end to a wonderful day.
