Day 18 - Edison Lake to Bear Creek...

After their layover day and re-supply, the ladies left Vermilion on the 9am ferry across Lake Edison back to the trailhead. From there, they climbed dozens of switchbacks and re-joined the JMT and headed south. They went approximately 8 miles where they made camp along Bear Creek for the evening.

Along the way, they hiked through lush terrain filled with wildflowers and huge stands of aspens.


John Muir Trail, southbound through the wildflowers...


Wildflowers and waterfalls...

The gals also adopted a new member of the "Mud Tribe" at Vermilion. "Lisa", from the San Francisco Bay Area, was a solo JMT hiker that they met on the trail. They hit it off well and she officially joined the group for the push to Whitney.


The newest member of the "Mud Tribe", Lisa!

That evening, they camped along Bear Creek which they had been warned was going to be a tough water crossing.