JMT Day 9: From Lake Virginia to VVR Junction — The Heavenly Pass and Shared Journeys

Distance: 12 miles (approx. 19 km) / Elevation Gain/Loss: Approx. 3,000 ft

The night sky at Lake Virginia was breathtaking, and the morning view was equally stunning. It’s clearly a popular camping spot, as several tents were scattered around the lakeshore.

My companions from yesterday, Chris and Tad, said they planned to push another 15 miles today. As for me, I decided to head toward VVR (Vermilion Valley Resort). Soman and Ram, the Indian mother and son I camped with last night, were also heading that way.

The highlight of today was the ascent to Silver Pass. The climb was grueling, every step demanding effort, but the reward was a divine, panoramic view that felt like stepping into a “heavenly realm.”

The vista from the top was magnificent, and the sight of Silver Pass Lake sitting serenely just below was captivating. After the pass, however, the trail transformed into a “green tunnel”—a long, monotonous stretch of dense forest. The descent was relentless, and by the end, my legs felt the heavy toll of the continuous downhill grade.

I spent much of the day hiking at nearly the same pace as Soman and Ram. Seeing a mother and son backpacking together—especially on a journey as demanding as the JMT—is truly wonderful.

At the top of Silver Pass, I also spoke with two young women who seemed to be on almost the same schedule as me. I’m realizing once again just how many hikers are on the JMT even at this time of year, along with quite a few PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) hikers mixed in. These brief encounters add such vibrant color to the solitude of the trek.

I eventually made it to a spot just before the VVR junction and decided to call it a day at a nice campsite I found there. With a total elevation change of 3,000 feet, featuring a steep climb in the morning and a sharp descent in the afternoon, my legs are completely exhausted.

It’s hard to believe that nine days have already passed since I started this journey. I’ve covered about 87 miles so far—almost the halfway point. I’ll see how I feel tomorrow before deciding whether to stay over at VVR.