Day 13- Motts Creek Junction to Deer Creek Junction

Distance: 19 mi
Elevation Gain: 3,500 ft
Starting Elevation: 8,990 ft
Ending Elevation: 9,100 ft

Looking ahead over Silver Pass.  Despite wearing leggings underneath our pants they were still too loose. — Looking ahead over Silver Pass. Despite wearing leggings underneath our pants they were still too loose.

We woke up feeling grateful. Grateful that despite the dark clouds above us the evening before we had no rain or snow. Grateful for our rest the day before and grateful for less than three miles to the top of Silver Pass (Elev: 10,740'). Our morning hike was cold but as long as we kept moving we stayed warm. After our resupply a few days before we were finally off of oatmeal breakfast, instead eating fig bars dipped into our tea and coffee.

Near the top of the pass we caught an alpine lake, still as glass with a perfect reflection of the peaks above. We reached the peak and finally stepped into some sunshine. This was just the first step. We would have nearly 18 more miles to go that day, climbing down more than 2,000', then climbing back up more than 2,000', followed by more descents and ascents that we felt like we had ascended two passes in one day.

From Silver Pass, our descent went quickly, especially since we felt rested from the day before. We dropped into the Cascade Valley and stopped at the junction to take off a few base layers and eat a snack. We prepared for another ascent, hiking up through Tully Hole. As we approached the meadow, a rancher and several horses stood in the sunshine as if under a spotlight near a winding creek. It looked like a scene from a western film.

We began to ascend another series of steep switchbacks, challenging as the day warmed up, but with each look back onto Tully Hole and the surrounding mountains, the ascent was worth it. After the summit we descended into the Lake Virginia area, a subalpine lake with colorful meadows. Again we ascended, away from the lake and meadows and then began our descent to Purple Lake.

Purple Lake was our 12 mile mark for the day. From there we would have approximately eight miles to get to our intended camp site for the night. At each junction we found ourselves making great time and feeling confident about the day ahead. We laid out our foam pad at the edge of Purple Lake, filtered some water, and had a half hour lunch break in the sunshine.

After our break we began our ascent up and out of Purple Lake. During the climb the views of the Sierras were phenomenal. We had a day of perfect weather and the cloudless sky meant views for miles around us. When we finally hit the Duck Pass Junction, we stopped to fill up as much water as we could. We read in our JMT guidebook that the final five mile stretch to Deer Creek would not have reliable water. We also read that the next section was considered monotonous by most JMT hikers. Maybe it was because we were already so tired from a long day, but we found ourselves agreeing with the JMT book. This five mile stretch under the cover of lodgepole pines offered little change in scenery and no creek crossings. We couldn't wait to complete those last miles and finish our day. We tried to distract ourselves by planning the days ahead. Suddenly and without warning, after a few hours of hiking, we heard the welcoming sound of rushing water. We crossed the creek over a log bridge and found a large and crowded camping area on the other side. We swiftly set up the the tent, filtered water, ate dinner, and fell asleep almost as soon as our heads hit our pillows. Our first 20 mile day was complete and despite a rewarding day of hiking and beautiful weather, we hoped we would not have another long day again. One thing we were happy about after a long day- tomorrow we would be at Reds Meadow. That meant another shower, clean clothes, and a delicious hot meal.

The view as we stopped for lunch at Purple Lake.