Got stuck in a rainstorm on the John Muir Trail near Evolution Creek

I was about 10 miles from Muir Trail Ranch when the sky just opened up, no warning at all. My map got soaked and turned to mush in about 30 seconds, so I had to guess which way the trail split off. Anyone else ever lose a map mid trip and just wing it?

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3 Comments

gibson.morgan1mo ago

That whole experience is just a reminder that we rely way too much on paper maps and phones without having any backup plan. It's funny how a little rain can totally change your whole trip, but it's also a lesson in trusting your gut and the land itself. Losing that map probably forced you to pay attention to the actual trail markers and the way the ground slopes, which is honestly how people used to navigate before all this fancy gear existed. There's something about being stripped of your gadgets that makes you a better hiker in the long run, even if it's stressful in the moment. My buddy always says the best stories come from the trips where something goes totally wrong. Sounds like you got a good one out of it.

7

ivanbell1mo ago

stripped of your gadgets" is exactly right. It sucks in the moment but forces you to actually see the trail instead of just the screen. Best lessons come from getting a little lost.

7

nguyen.morgan1mo ago

Lost my map in a flash flood near Kings Canyon and ended up following a creek for six hours.

2