August 7

Vermillion Valley Resort to Purple Lake – 16.5 miles

To get back to the JMT we took a ferry to Mono Creek Trail which connects the east end of Lake Edison with the JMT in just over a mile. My little trail family, Somer, Harrison and Jason opted to stay at VVR until the afternoon ferry, but I felt that I needed to leave on the morning ferry to ensure that I could complete my planned itinerary. We had breakfast together, but I then packed up to get back on the trail, sad to leave my new friends and the prospect of hanging out a bit, but eager to continue the trek.

I was soon making my way up Silver Pass, but was shortly regretting not having held back to rest a bit a longer at VVR as my energy level wasn’t what it had been. I shifted down a gear so to speak and kept on rolling. As with most prior passes, I moved on down the north side fairly quickly after taking in the expansive views, taking a few pictures and having a snack. A glissade down a snowfield at the summit made the descent quicker and fun! After reaching Fish Creek the trail heads up again, passing the meadow at Tully Hole then zigzagging in switchbacks toward Virginia Lake.

I was dragging a bit here, and was caught by the same hiker who caught me on the climb up to Silver Pass, but stayed there longer than me. Lisa Murray offered timely encouragement, and we hiked together the rest of that afternoon. We passed by the stunning Lake Virginia and on to Purple Lake where we found a great campsite above the lake and away from the mosquitos.