Decision was made to skip the alternate route. Vicki was very disappointed of course, but we'll come back another time and do different routes instead of sticking to the PCT/JMT. We are so ready to get to VVR (Vermilion Valley Resort), take a shower, rest, and EAT a lot of food. Spent the morning making our way up to Muir Pass where there is the Muir Hut. Crossed a small snowfield and passed a few lakes. As we neared the top, two southbound women hikers warned us of an older fellow who was coughing and was running a fever. Aack. We geared up with face masks and kept our distance from the fellow sitting against a rock near the Muir Hut. I didn't go in this time as I didn't want to touch the door handles. (Note: In 2016, Seasoned Strider and I spent the night in the Muir Hut due to foggy conditions and full on snow. We didn't want to get lost in those conditions.) Another southbound hiker warned us of the mosquito infestation at Wanda Lake. We sprayed ourselves with bug spray before we got there, and boy are we glad we did. Hordes, swarms, clouds of them. I hiked fast and furious to get past that lake. Too bad, because the views are spectacular through this section. We finally reached Evolution Lake and took a break. Final leg of the day was a long downhill to Colby Meadows for the night. Funny, I don't remember this section and then Seasoned Strider reminded me that it was all snow when we came down the last time. On snow one doesn't have to follow the switchbacks, you just go straight downand make your own trail.