Episode 51
Ep 051. John Muir Trail Day 16 (Trail Series). Selden Pass, Blister Battles, and a Broken Fishing Pole
Welcome to the John Muir Trail Podcast Series - I'm taking a little summer break from the podcast while I head off on some new adventures (and guide some epic client trips too!). But I didn’t want to leave you hanging—so I’m sharing something special: a never-before-released Trail Series from our John Muir Trail thru-hike.
Today we tackled Selden Pass, hiked over 12 rugged miles with 3,200 feet of gain, and somehow ended the day feeling more human than we have in a while. Maybe it was the early arrival to camp. Maybe it was the peaceful solitude. Or maybe it was just finally getting into the groove of trail life.
Still, the day didn’t come without its chaos. Michael realized mid-hike that he left part of his fishing pole behind, making for some MacGyver-style angling at our evening camp. We battled heat, blisters, and sand-filled shoes—but also got to rinse clothes, meet a few solo northbounders, and savor a quiet creekside evening.
We’re learning (yet again) how much smoother trail life feels when you have time to breathe, soak your feet, and eat Oreos in peace.
In this episode:
- Climbing Selden Pass and descending into a stunning lake basin
- Michael’s fishing pole fail and trail improvisation
- Blister maintenance, sweaty shoes, and gear talk
- Swapping meals and rationing snacks (RIP Snickers)
- Making trail friends + solo hiker admiration
- Finding our rhythm again—and remembering why we came back
🎧 Join us as we hike, fish (sort of), snack (sparingly), and settle into our JMT stride.
JMT Resources on the Blog:
- The Stress-Free Guide to John Muir Trail Permits
- The Ultimate John Muir Trail Planning Guide
- 15 Reasons I’m Excited to Hike the John Muir Trail
Where to learn more about Allison:
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