Evolution Creek cascades
down to meet the San
Joaquin River.
Llamas carrying all of the
comforts of home.
We ran into a mother and teenage son hiking. Since conditions had probably changed over the last week, I decided to ask them how the crossing had been, figuring I could count on accurate information. Unfortunately, our conversation went like this:
Me: "How was the crossing of Evolution Creek?"
Son: "Well, this is Evolution Lake." gestures to lake we are standing next to (I should mention that everything around here is named "Evolution")
Me: (thinking they misunderstood me, I try again) "Yes, well, what I was wondering how the crossing of Evolution Creek went for you. How were the water conditions?"
Mom: "Well, that's far away." (What does that have to do with anything? And it was only 6 miles away.)
Me: "Well, as I'll be crossing it today, I thought maybe you could give me an idea of what I might expect."
Son: "Are you talking about the crossing down in the meadow?" (at this point in the trail, that's the only time they would have crossed the creek, so that would be a yes) Gets out map and shows me where it is. (Gee, thanks cause I'm not carrying a map) "See, it's way down here."
Me: (Finding no wall to beat my head against, I persevered) "Well, I'm on my way to Vermillion so I'm going to have to cross it."
Mom: "You CAN'T avoid crossing the creek!" (said in a tone implying I'm an idiot and in denial of this fact)
Me: "I know. That's why I was hoping you could give me some information. I've been hearing the crossing is high in the meadow and it's better upstream."
Mom: "Oh, NO, it's fine in the meadow. It only came to mid calf on me."
Now, what was so difficult about that? I immediately took my leave of this annoying twosome feeling sorry for anyone else they might encounter.
We eventually crossed the creek (In a one-week period, I think water conditions must have changed drastically judging from the stories we had heard earlier.) and followed it down past a spectacular cascade of waterfalls.
As we did, we ran into two men each escorting 6 llamas apiece. They were the support team for 7 people on a week-long trip. It was an all inclusive trip where the support people do everything including setting up your tent, feeding you, provide hot showers and even dig you a pit toilet. We both felt envious. I of the showers and Scott, of course, of the toilet.
We hiked along the beautiful south fork of the San Joaquin River and met up with a man and his young son who were anxious to find a place to camp. We assured them there was a great spot only 20 minutes upstream. They asked us to please relay that info to the third member of their party behind them on the trail who was exhausted. I told them that I would tell him it was a long way and they said not to discourage him because he had all the food and might turn back, but when we met him, I couldn't resist telling him it would be 5 more miles but only 3 of them were uphill. I felt terrible when he looked like he was going to cry (because I of ALL people can relate to trail pain and crying!) so, anxious to make amends, I said "No, no, just kidding...it's only 20 minutes and flat terrain." I started to explain that his friends wanted me to reassure him, but he misunderstood and exclaimed, "Those jerks put you up this!" and then departed before I could correct the story. Oh dear. Well, we won't see them again.
We made camp and prepared to climb Seldon Pass in the morning.