Backpacking southbound on the John Muir Trail toward Selden Pass in the John Muir Wilderness, two companions and I reached Marie Lake in early afternoon, under a warm sun, and I promptly jumped into the bracing waters to cool off from our long, uphill slog to that lake. Justifiably known as one of the prettiest lakes along the JMT, Marie Lake sits at 10,551 feet above sea level, just a few hundred vertical feet lower than Selden Pass. I shot this photo looking back toward Marie Lake while ascending the JMT toward Selden Pass.
