Due to the snow, I decided to fill in a few of my trail gaps this year. This section was 6 hours away, so I went for it
My trail Angel for life, Jay Go.
Trying to start again after finishing the desert 700 miles is hard. Kennedy Meadows has 200 residents that all hate each other. No bus would even consider that 3k windy road climb.
But Jay Go let me know he was making that trip (Lone pine where I was parking the hiker van) so I delayed my start 1 day and was thrilled. No bus, no hitch, just a straight ride to KMS south. Wow
And Jay Go is the purist trail Angel. He refused gas/time/ etc.
And I had a college teacher tutorial on earth and science.
Meeting true trail angels that love to help remains my favorite part of this adventure.
My Jake’s bar friends in lone pine the night before. Love these small trail towns. I want to see every one
My camp spot at Kennedy meadows general store (friends of this post will remember my nights at Grumpy bears 2 miles up)
Probably 30 PCT hikers here tonight, and right next to my tent was a giant screen showing “the princess bride”
I was so happy I almost cried. I love that movie
So .
Many many people here.
Here we go. Yesterday I was at 65 elevation. Now I start hiking at 6000 feet climbing to 8300 today and 10,500 tomorrow.
I don’t like my chances
The views are Tahoe. It’s crazy pretty
Unrelenting sun, but we are so high it’s never crazy hot. This is one of the bridges
A better downstream view without me. This is such a nice section.
We are here.
Sometimes the trail is so nice and clear.
Yes , the required nature shot. The different colors in such a small area intrigued me
The south kern river. In the couple of miles before this, I had trouble. Not altitude sickness, but my legs were not acting normal. It was a tough 2 miles. But I got to the river, took a dip, and rested, and mostly kinda recovered
The water felt so good. This is one of the famous pct play spots. After I left, at least 25 hikers spent hours here. I don’t blame them. It was perfect
My camp spot day 1. 17 miles in. 3000 climb up and I’m at 8300. Got there by 5, so was able to relax. But no doubt that elevation change was a factor.
Since I wake early, it was nice seeing a sunrise when I was already hiking.
Even though I had some issues the day before, since the next day had a significant 2k plus climb, I wanted to get at least a bit done. I did get 3 miles, and maybe 300 feet up, but frankly I was thrilled. For a while here, I felt poorly. That’s new to me
Which sunrise is better ?
I like this just because I’m further down the trail
Love the signs. I’m not lost! (I’m not joking)
I think I was tired and needed a break so I took a photo. I know this is a water spot. (Yes. That’s important)
Some of my 5 minute buds on the trail.
They were much smarter than me. They went south bound from lone pine to km. Saved 3k climb. Funny , friendly group that I spent 15 minutes with. (All San Diego folks )
And they gave me great trail help for the next water issue
Not sure if this is the “death meadow” but it was pretty
Ok. The views suck
Nice
Made 15 miles with elevation gains
The total climb was 1700, which is not crazy, but at the end of the day is impossible. It was semi early, and there were tons of camp spots. I decided to bite off as much of that 1700 that I could
The 1st 2 miles went so good, then the elevation stepped in. I made it thru the next 1.5 but I don’t think I could have gone on. The boink had set in
But I had made it 15 miles, so I only had 11.5 left on the trail, plus the 2.5 trail to the Lone pine trailhead
I was optimistic, was in camp by 5 and could recover.
Perfect camp spot. I was there early so I got to set up in shade and recover. Met “two books” who had a food issue, so I got to help her out with my extras.
Eventually 20 hikers were scattered around here
Sunrise. The funny part is you need to remember that green tent.
I was so tired every night, I had to lay down.
Crazy views of the Owens valley
Pretty
I wish cameras could do this justice
3 options from the peak to the 3 mile trail to hopefully find a 20 mile hitch.
This is Mulkeys. 1st but hard I say no
Now we get the the middle option. Semi well graded. Actually ok. The 1st mile down was hard (because I have to do this again to continue). But the last 1.5 miles was ok. I can do this . You hate 2.5 uphill hikes that don’t even count for PCT miles, but that’s the price you pay to visit these so cool trail towns (and of course to not 3 to days of food. )
There is a great massive horseshoe meadow just can’t photo
So I make it up the 11.5 miles to the trail junction where I leave the PCT to hopefully get to Lone Pine. Of course it’s not a thru road, I have no cell, 5 cars in 1.5 hours.
Then who is my rescue? The same guy on the green tent on day 1.
I just love the trail. It’s epic.
Tom hikes the PCT 