Here’s a story in Ojai Quarterly about my struggle with the legacy of my long-time hero John Muir while walking his trail — in smoke — this past September. [This first image comes from the story in the winter issue of the magazine, as linked above, and has a slightly different tone and fewer picturesContinue reading “BLAME JOHN MUIR: Fire on the JMT 2025”
Tag Archives: Red’s Meadow
When the smoke hit the throat: from Red’s Meadow to Purple Lake
Everything changed the morning that Tugboat and I left Red’s Meadow, headed south and uphill, aiming for the popular and memorably beautiful Purple Lake. Red’s Meadow is at a low spot on the JMT — 7,630 feet — and heading south the trail climbs mostly gradually but steadily to 10,300 feet and Duck Pass.* NotContinue reading “When the smoke hit the throat: from Red’s Meadow to Purple Lake”
Southbound on the JMT: Gladys Lake to Red’s Meadow
From Gladys Lake to Red’s Meadow is what Muir would call a saunter — a long lovely walk, brisk but as it happens mostly downhill, through a sunny and mostly dry forest. Not especially taxing and pleasant in a cozy sort of way, such as this little trailside pond, which officially is one of theContinue reading “Southbound on the JMT: Gladys Lake to Red’s Meadow”
Kit Stolz 