Out of Ridgecrest
Day 41, I got off the bus to Walker Pass and frankly, felt fantastic. Good energy from the night before, not so much rest but got a ton of work done. No water cache so I had to backtrack 25 minutes just to get water. Super light stream, took me 20 or so minutes just to filter 4 liters. Climbing back into the mountains. 2,500 ft climb in 7 miles. Not insanely challenging, but it’s hot today. Found the one tree that provided shade at noon. Gonna chill here for a while and do some later/night hiking to get 15 more miles to the next water source. A strong day tomorrow will give me the opportunity to get into Kennedy Meadows in the morning Wednesday. Then to head out to the Sierra. About to hit the Sequoia National Forest soon. It’s gonna be really nice to hit a change of scenery.
I changed my mind about getting to the water source. I have 3 1/2 liters and I found a nice spot on a ridge just 5 miles from Walker Pass. This is my first Nero is quite a while, where I do less than 10 miles all day. Still cowboy camping until I get to Kennedy. I’m going to attempt 25 miles to Chimney Creek. I’ve been laying down for hours now, probably the best nap I’ve had on trail. Hiker midnight has come and gone, I’m still here. My body will thank me tomorrow and reward me with an accomplishing day. It’s super windy, but I like the sound of renewable energy. First night I’m not hungry, I had a decent snack/lunch. See you soon Kennedy Meadows.
Onward to Kennedy
Day 42, I feel better today. Feeling like I can do serious mileage today. Though I’m not really paying attention to my miles this morning. Just focusing on getting to my next water source in 6 miles. I would really like to pull into Kennedy Meadows tomorrow just past noon. That means I have to kick it into gear a bit more tonight to get just close enough. I plan on resupplying, mainly securing my ice stuff and new shoes, then heading back into the mountains to officially start the Sierra. Doing some good things today, just got to get moving and keep progressing.
By the time I got to Chimney Creek, I was 25 miles into my day. Nearly midnight, I settled in my bed and ate “dinner”. Basically just peanut butter and fig bars. I’ve seen a ton of mice on trail, hoping they don’t mess with me. I’m cowboy camping still! Debated on sending my tent back home, I think I’ll keep it for now. Being forced to change on the fly and still managing. Although it can be a bit spooky, when I’m this tired, I’ll sleep anywhere. Very pleased with what I’ve done today. Tomorrow it’s 21 miles to Kennedy Meadows. Getting up early, to beat the heat, and to make it into town early afternoon. I need to do 10 by 10! I’m not sure how much sleep I’ll get, the quietness of the forest is something I haven’t had since before Hikertown. The wind was calming in a way, this is unnerving.
Sierra in the Distance
Day 43, I’m pushing my way through the final climb before the Sierra. I think I’m going to the river just before Kennedy Meadows so I can walk into town in the morning. I want pancakes and claps! I’ve been looking forward to this moment since I started. When I was passing the sign in Cleveland National Forest, it said “Kennedy Meadows 650 miles”. That felt so far away. Now I’m here. At the Sierra’s doorstep. Adding the miles from home, my shoes have seen nearly 1,000 miles. Yes, I did the entire Southern California desert with 1 pair of shoes. Excited to get into town and finally switch them out! This next chapter is going to be EPIC!
The scenery is slowly changing. From desert, vast flatness, less rigid, to so many mountains. Hills? They’re high up, so to me they’re mountains. One thing I find really cool is that the Sierra, you can see them from here, are all the way in the background, but they shine the brightest. Clear as day can you see them. “I can’t believe I’m going to be there” I think to myself as I venture forth. I’m honestly hoping that, with the high intensity of this range, brings incredible beauty, showcasing exactly why I wanted to hike the PCT. The last week I’ve been taking things mellow, relatively. Enjoying my last days in the desert, anticipating what’s in front of me. “I’ve gone so far” I keep telling myself, a key to keeping myself going. I’m happy where I’m at, but sometimes the monotony kills the vibe. Growing as a person, climbing mountains.
Skunks in Kennedy Meadows
Day 44, I woke up on a boulder next to a river. The sound of a thriving river, when you’ve been depending on trickles of steams, it’s a sight to behold. I’m at mile 699. Just 4 miles to Kennedy Meadows. I had a dream about my new shoes, but my soul has been engrained in these old ones. You can tell we’re heading into a distinct area change. Already, I’m seeing huge boulders scatter the valley, so many trees! It’s a nice walk into KMS. Now I have to actually get up and get moving, I’m hungry and I want breakfast!
I finally made it to Kennedy Meadows! 703 miles of the PCT done. Resupply success, although one of my packages won’t be here until tomorrow morning. New shoes! In the Sierra transition period. Over the next couple of days I’ll really be IN the Sierra. Mt. Whitney is a few days away. From there, I’ll meet up with friends and hike onward, over passes, to Yosemite Valley. Today I take a break and enjoy the accomplishment of getting here. Tomorrow, I head further North and experience what the PCT is really all about.
Pack = Heavy, Food = Belly
Day 45, I’m fully set up for the Sierra. Stayed at Grumpy Bears campground last night. Woke up to an insane pancake 2x the size of my face. I couldn’t finish it, but it was so good. The food that you find along the trail is some of the best food I’ve had at any establishment in normal life. Still, SO MANY HIKERS! Met back up with quite a few people I’ve met along the way. The thing I’m noticing, is that the trail gives me what I least expect. If I’m expecting to see my usual group of folks, I see the other groups I hadn’t initially thought of. Possibly heading into the Sierra with a new group entirely. Met Sam And Sky, well we met a few hundred miles ago. They completed a 30 for 30, it was Sky’s Birthday that day! Super cool dudes, I’ll try and hike with them a tad, to get used to the Sierra with familiar faces. Still waiting for my package, so I can bounce it to Bishop. Then I’m headed back off into the mountain. I hear there’s trail magic at Kennedy Meadows Campground. Chasing magic, that’s thruhiking.
Spent most of the day at the General Store here in Kennedy Meadows. Finally bounced my package forward, to Bishop. Those insoles I picked up in Tehachapi? And the rope I’ve been carrying since Agua Dulce? (Was able to fix my tent, yay!) I fashioned into a pair of UL camp shoes. Met a pal from Israel, he’s been carrying a bow, arrows and a quiver. That, by far, is the strangest but coolest thing I’ve seen someone carry. Absolute beast. He wants to learn how to hunt. Good on him for taking it back to natures instincts. As my pack has been fully set up and all my devices are charged, I wait to head out into the Sierra for a nero. Leaving soon to experience why I wanted to hike the PCT
Off to the Sierra
Day 46, I slept the best I have on trail last night. Proving that if you drink a couple of beers and the steady ambiance of the flowing river, that it’s an impeccable combo for a restful REM. I left camp at just past 8am. Decided that, if I’m gonna make miles, I’m fine with night hiking too. I guess my schedule is different than everybody else’s is. They wake up early and get to camp before sundown. I like to see the sun in the morning when I rise and shine, literally. Getting to camp once the sun is long gone. I don’t have to put the pressure on myself to change my patterns to fit with everyone else. We still catch up and see friendly faces. By the way, I’m absolutely in love with my camp shoes! What’s nice about the Sierra, is water is in plethora. Having a light water carry is so nice. As the wind brushes against the trees and birds are flying against the breeze, I follow the path forward, leading me to greatness.
The scenery has changed almost entirely within a day. The first time I’ve went to find shade and I was too cold. An incredible amount of Chipmunks, so adorable. After looking at beige dirt for hundreds of miles, it’s nice to see green in every direction. I take a moment to appreciate the grooves in the trees, which are already huge by the way. Almost through with my first climb into the Sierra, so far it’s my favorite place.
Spoke to a Ranger who checked my permit. First time that happened. It was pretty interesting to talk to him. He said he hiked the PCT in 2013. He told me that some of the best views are behind you, so be sure to turn around and look, you might see something incredible. Very profound conversation with him. He’s the only PCT Ranger who hikes the trail and checks permits. Very pleasant interaction. Made it to camp, listening to the 100 feet rule here. Set up overlooking a meadow. The highest in elevation I’ve been so far at 9,500 ft. Finishing the climb tomorrow morning, but it’s already cold and I’m not ready. My yoga pants are in full swing. After eating dinner, it’s time for bed for Skunk.
Sierra don’t slow me down
Day 47, has been so incredibly slow. It’s likely the elevation right? That or I’m just amazed with what’s around me, I want to take my time. Completely uncertain. I’ve gone 30 miles in 3 days. I spoke with a guy who said weren’t going to replicate the miles from the desert to the Sierra. I’m sure he’s right. It’s a relatively hard thing to wrap my head around. Heading to Death Canyon to sleep tonight. Then climb higher tomorrow, fully settling into the Sierra. Lone Pine is 20 or so miles away, the junction to the trailhead that is. I’m hoping for an easy hitch into town so I can make it back onto trail in good time. It’s so cold, and I’m not ready for it.
I decided to camp early tonight. The thing I realized is that, I don’t have to push 20 miles a day all the time. I’m fairly confident that I’ll be able to catch up to friends, catch up miles, and still thoroughly enjoy the Sierra. Right now, I’m sleeping in a meadow, facing East. Hoping that the sun shines in my tent in the morning and provides just enough warmth to get me going. I want to make it to Lone Pine, I’m not really that far away. This next 200 miles are some of the most incredible views in America. Trying to remain vigilant about getting to Canada, while experiencing this in every way possible.
Lone wolf to Lone Pine
Day 48, is presenting to be the most peaceful morning on trail. Faint chatter of other campers, sun rays penetrating my tent opening, not too cold. I’m the last one to leave camp. It’s 9:30 and I haven’t even broke camp yet. I feel a lot better today, I feel ready to get moving and have a good mileage day. Still wanting to go to Lone Pine, I’ll do that tomorrow morning. That’s only 14 miles away to the junction. I figured I’d camp somewhere close, so I don’t need to rush today. It feels nice to have days where I don’t feel obligated to make miles. Although I won’t be able to climb Whitney with my friends, they are so far ahead, I imagine. I’ll be able to climb in a couple of days. In and out of Lone Pine and a decent day of hiking, will lead me right to Crabtree campground. Today, I will be immersed in the “true” Sierra experience. Locals say that terrain changes 40 or so miles from Kennedy Meadows. I’m at 732 right now. Getting my mind prepared for what’s next, I leave camp with high anticipation.
Whitney in the Distance
Day 49, I made my way into Lone Pine. I met up with my friends again! With a full resupply (mainly just ramen) and too much ice cream, I’m fully set up to peak Whitney day after tomorrow. It was nice to run into people I knew! I met the older couple, from Pennsylvania, I hitched to Ridgecrest with. They ended up being able to get me to Lone Pine. I was worried about a hitch and before I got off the mountain, I had a ride lined up. Secured my way back too. Some things just work out, the trail always provides! Going back up Cottonwood Pass is incredibly beautiful. Tonight I camp at Chicken Spring Lake. Tomorrow I hit National Park territory, some of the most beautiful scenery in the country. Though I haven’t taken many zeros, only 1, I’ve taken many neros. Getting things done and getting back onto trail is my favorite way to do it. With the birds hollering, the mosquitos buzzing, I’m flowing my way to camp.
