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Deems Burton | profile | all galleries >> The High Sierra, John Muir's Range of Light >> The John Muir Shelter at 11,955 feet in Kings Canyon National Park tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

The John Muir Shelter at 11,955 feet in Kings Canyon National Park

I was fortunate to be able to spend one night on Muir Pass in August 2005. I experienced a glorious sunset and sunrise, alone. To reach this precious place takes a long hike and I tried my best to capture the essence of the moment, the place, and the spirit of those that built the hut and had hiked before, and to fire the spirit of those that will follow my steps. 2006 will be the 75th anniversary of the John Muir Memorial Shelter.
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John Muir Shelter in evening light
John Muir Shelter in evening light		 The John MuirShelter on Muir Pass at 11,955 feet
The John MuirShelter on Muir Pass at 11,955 feet		 John Muir Shelter
John Muir Shelter		 Sunset accents the shelter
Sunset accents the shelter
One window, one crack, one incredible view
One window, one crack, one incredible view		 Plaque on the John Muir Shelter Memorial on Muir Pass
Plaque on the John Muir Shelter Memorial on Muir Pass		 The plaque over the fire place, which is no longer used
The plaque over the fire place, which is no longer used		 Roof rock work inside the Muir Shelter
Roof rock work inside the Muir Shelter
The door we hike so far to open
The door we hike so far to open		 Muir Shelterdoor
Muir Shelterdoor		 Reflections of the Sierra on the Shelter's door window
Reflections of the Sierra on the Shelter's door window		 Reflections of the Sierra on the Shelter's door window
Reflections of the Sierra on the Shelter's door window
The Shelter's doorway looking south bound
The Shelter's doorway looking south bound		 The Muir Shelter backlighted at sunset
The Muir Shelter backlighted at sunset		 John Muir Memorial Shelter at 11955 ft on Muir Pass
John Muir Memorial Shelter at 11955 ft on Muir Pass		 The Shelter blends into the Sierra
The Shelter blends into the Sierra
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Don Groves 14-Jan-2016 16:31
Larry Bohl is accuate on the July 1978 snow. I was there with 2 others in July but we came by way of Florence Lake. Crossing Evolution Creek in Evolution Valley was risky and painful. Evolution Mdw was a gigantic lake. The water reached my hips and took a good 10 minutes to cross. It was my third visit to the hut and we all felt the same way as Larry about it being a lifesaver. 1978 and again in 1998 the summer snow packs were unbelievable in this area.
Marta Morse 11-Mar-2015 18:55
Sometime in September of 1951 we spent the night in the Muir Hut...bringing some wood to leave behind and contributing food for the next. With two mules carrying our provisions we were spending three weeks on the Muir trail. Two months later moved to Europe leaving those beloved mountains behind and on to new ones. Now at 86 enjoying the photographs then taken....
John Everett 26-Oct-2012 21:14
I am in the planning stage for a late 09/2013 JMT n-s and hope to enjoy what your images display.
Mike 05-Oct-2012 15:03
I did the north Lake/South Lake Hike this summer... A magical place. I love your photos. They bring me back.. Thanks for posting
Kent Rasmussen 18-Sep-2012 03:10
In 1965, my Dad, Norm(45),brother Evan(12) and myself(14) had just spent our 8th nite camped at Little Pete Meadow, having hiked from Whitney Portal. Every day had at least some rain, and 3 had long periods of rain. Twice we made camp in the twilight in more tha a drizzle. We were going to lay over.Then, about mid afternoon, it started to cloud up and rained hard. The creek rose, turned brown, and we headed for Muir Pass."If it is going to rain, we might as well hike" were the orders Dad gave.In poring rain, dinner was pilot biscuits and pieces of home made teriyaki jerky
As dusk descended rapidly, we approached Muir Pass, and a fellow yelled from the hut " How many in your party?" "Three" replied Dad. "That'll make 13 of us in the hut then" We found our slots, had a cup fo soup,slept til just before dawn. Dad woke us, said"let's go!" Somewhere nearing Evolution Md., we breakfasted. Another day of rain! Camped below McClure. Next day, rained most all day. Got to Sally Keyes Lakes. Must have been 50 Boy Scouts and one of them had a voice that cut through the silence like a hot knife through butter. He talked non-stop. 10 more days and we hiked into Curry Village!!!!
NO MORE RAIN from SK to YO-Valley. 47 years later, and I can still recall with fair amount of distinction, events from each and every day. Thanks Dad for the memories. Thanks for the photos. For me, they pierce their way into the emulsion sheet of my mind.
PS-The day after we got home, went body surfing in 8-10 overhead south of HB pier. Never been so focused on staying alive.LOL
Kent Rasmussen 18-Sep-2012 03:10
In 1965, my Dad, Norm(45),brother Evan(12) and myself(14) had just spent our 8th nite camped at Little Pete Meadow, having hiked from Whitney Portal. Every day had at least some rain, and 3 had long periods of rain. Twice we made camp in the twilight in more tha a drizzle. We were going to lay over.Then, about mid afternoon, it started to cloud up and rained hard. The creek rose, turned brown, and we headed for Muir Pass."If it is going to rain, we might as well hike" were the orders Dad gave.In poring rain, dinner was pilot biscuits and pieces of home made teriyaki jerky
As dusk descended rapidly, we approached Muir Pass, and a fellow yelled from the hut " How many in your party?" "Three" replied Dad. "That'll make 13 of us in the hut then" We found our slots, had a cup fo soup,slept til just before dawn. Dad woke us, said"let's go!" Somewhere nearing Evolution Md., we breakfasted. Another day of rain! Camped below McClure. Next day, rained most all day. Got to Sally Keyes Lakes. Must have been 50 Boy Scouts and one of them had a voice that cut through the silence like a hot knife through butter. He talked non-stop. 10 more days and we hiked into Curry Village!!!!
NO MORE RAIN from SK to YO-Valley. 47 years later, and I can still recall with fair amount of distinction, events from each and every day. Thanks Dad for the memories. Thanks for the photos. For me, they pierce their way into the emulsion sheet of my mind.
PS-The day after we got home, went body surfing in 8-10 overhead south of HB pier. Never been so focused on staying alive.LOL
Mara 26-Aug-2012 05:48
Thank you for your photos - they really capture the place. I visited the shelter with a high school backpacking group in 1981, and it was an amazing place. Very solidly built, in a beautiful and lonely pass.
Larry Bohl 27-Feb-2012 05:51
Spent night in the Muir Hut July 1978 w/4 mates on the BOHL Expedition. Two weeks through snow cups from Humphrey's Basin throu the Keyhole and into Darwin Canyon. Snow cups 2-3' deep-brutal. Got to the hut exhausted and stoked as it was the only thing not under snow. Around the hut the snow was a good 9' deep. Alpine glow at sunset qnd the sunrise the next day were spectacular. Had a real tough time deciding to head out and back onto the snow that morning. It was a lifesaver and still one of the greatest accomodations I've ever had.
James Opp Smith 01-Oct-2011 06:45
I sought shelter in the Hut during a snow storm, complete with thunder and lightning, while hiking the John Muir Trail from Yosemite to Mt. Whitney during the Summer of 1968, It is hard to reconcile the fact that more time has passed since I was there than had passed from the date of its completion to that July afternoon. However, even after 43 years, the memories remain fresh.
Steve Haskell 04-Aug-2010 00:51
I hiked the Muir trail from Yosemite to Mt Whitney, my best memory is of coming up to the John Muir hut. I have not been able to get back there since. i live in New England. Loved it, am truely hoping to take my family.
Terry 15-Jul-2010 22:45
I stayed in there in 1970 as I hiked from Yosemite to Mt Whitney, without a tent or a stove. T
Mitchell Lane Culliton 04-Oct-2009 08:13
I was here Summer 1973; age 17. I had no camera, so now I live only with my memory. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PHOTOS! I do not know through what hoops one must jump so as to stay at the Muir Hut in 2009. On the night in August '73 that I stayed in the Hut with my hiking buddy (we went from Florence Lake, CA. to Cedar Grove, CA. in 7 days--85-95 miles if my memory serves correct) no reservations were needed. We were the only two there that night. It was my first time above 'timberline'. To this day I remember thinking, ¡°No Trees?, How can there be any beauty¡±, AND then, AFTER walking the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range above timberline I thought, ¡°Sky, Rocks, Water; how clean, clear, simple, and stunningly beautiful¡±.
In 1978 I made written plans for my ashes to be scattered at Muir Pass when I die. I wanted them to be scattered at Muir Pass so that whoever carried them there would experience the beauty I saw. In 1978, I did not expect to die soon. As I am still alive in 2009 my thoughts proved prophetic. AND Still I am glad that the beauty I saw and experienced at Muir Pass is there to this day. Maybe when I do die I will have a friend able and willing to make the trek. I have not been back since but the memory burns strong in my mind.
THANK YOU FOR POSTING THIS SITE AND THESE PHOTOS!
Roy White 29-Sep-2009 05:24
Thanks for posting this. I spent the night in Muir Hut in 1983. Early summer. The entire pass was covered in snowcups and it took us two days to struggle through it. The hut was the only exposed rock in two days. I've never in my life felt so isolated from the world. What a great hike the John Muir trail is. My health prevents ke from going now but I frequently look at photos on the Internet. Thanks again for the trip down memory lane.
Jeremy Olsen 18-Jun-2009 22:39
Very inspiring. I will be visiting the shelter in about two weeks time. This will mark the point where we begin the next section of the Roper route into the high Sierra's.
Bartosz Kotulski12-Aug-2008 12:36
Very nice collection. great light and wonderful afternoon mood. well done
voted
Jacob Wendelin 09-Feb-2008 17:06
i live in california by la! were is this? is it in califonia
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