If the John Muir Trail is the crown jewel of the Pacific Crest Trail, then the Evolution Basin and Valley are perhaps the most strikingly-sculpted gem to be carefully placed in that jewel. One bite of the Evolution area is liable to infect any passerby, causing even the most mileage-minded thru-hiker to slow down and soak in the absurdly stunning combinations of rock, water and sky.
Read MoreWanda Lake (11,426'), still largely frozen in late July of this high snow year. Situated west of Muir Pass (11,955'), it is named for one of John Muir's two daughters. Helen Lake (11,617') sits on the east side of the pass and is named for Wanda's sister.