The Evolution Basin is one of the most beautiful areas in California. Several 13,000 foot mountains hold sublime glacial lakes and high alpine meadows. As if aware of this, nature jealously guards the area, with there being no easy and short approaches to the basin. As with many of the places on the John Muir Trail, my first experience with the Evolution Basin was in August 2014. It had been a boring few days and I was glad to finally enter Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, the true High Sierra, to sunny weather and clear skies. Read more...