Kearsarge Pass

PCT 2018 Day 34, May 26, Saturday.

Start mile 778.7, near campsites, less than one mile from Forester Pass, elevation 12.3k.

End mile 788.5, then take the Bullfrog Lake Trail and Kearsarge Trail 7.6 miles to Onion Valley Trailhead and hitch 11 miles to Independence

Miles walked: 17.4

Several people started up Forester Pass before me in the morning, even though I camped closest. One couple, camped 5 miles away, got up at 3:30AM to get to the pass while the snow was still hard. I was glad to follow some fresh footprints.

Going down Kings Canyon was several miles of snow, and post-holing started relatively early in some spots, even as early as 9AM, though breaking through the snow crust was rare, it did happen. Kings Canyon offered terrific views on descending.

Further down the canyon, past the snow, the need for food resupply required that I exit the PCT, and climb Kearsarge Trail from 10.8k elevation up to Kearsarge Pass at 11.8k.

Then an infinite set of switchbacks brings me down to Onion Valley Trailhead at 9.2k.

The trail was very popular with day-hikers. On the way down I met Groundhog and MouseTrap, and we decided to stay at bunkhouse at Courthouse Motel. I had called on the way down, and they had space for hikers on this busy Memorial Day weekend.

I got a ride down with Skidmark and Chief, with their parents, who had left the trail temporarily to stash food in a bear box at the trailhead, and then would return hiking at Kennedy Meadows. They quizzed me on trail conditions at each pass, all the way down to the town of Independence.

Finished audiobook The Girl On the Boat, by P G Wodehouse

Almost Forester Pass

PCT 2018 Day 33, May 25, Friday.

Start campsites at Rock Creek, mile 760.5, elevation 9.5k

End mile 778.7, near campsites, less than one mile from Forester Pass, elevation 12.3k.

Miles walked: 18.2

The trail is often through boulder fields, taking on a rugged character. The John Muir Trail joins the PCT. Also, a side trail leads to Mount Whitney, which many PCT hikers do as a day-hike, leaving much of their gear in a bear box. The water at Tyndal Creek ford was running fast. The water near the trail appeared more than waist deep, but going upstream a large flat rock creek-bed caused the water to run fast but shallow, a good crossing point. Climbing steadily towards Forester Pass, more snow appears. Fewer footprints are visible than I expected. Passing many high snowy peaks each day, I give thanks for the ones we bypass, as well as those we climb. I reach the final mile ascent of Forester at 4PM, but this is not enough time to climb up and get back down, and snow conditions in late afternoon are not recommended for the climb. After the pass you would be post-holing (suddenly breaking through the surface of the snow) for miles before reaching a suitable campsite.

I find a flat boulder and pitch the tent. With low wind, and sun reflected off snow, the evening is surprisingly warm and pleasant, having dinner on my little island.

Later a few hikers pitch tents on snow a hundred yards away, all ready for the pass in the early morning.

Cottonwood Pass

PCT 2018 Day 32, May 24, Thursday.

Start mile 730.8, campsite at Death Canyon Creek

End campsites at Rock Creek, mile 760.5

Miles walked: 29.7

Starting at 8 5k elevation, I climb to 11.1k at Cottonwood Pass. At the pass, and throughout the day, one can see many impressive snow-covered peaks. The pass has very little remaining snow, just a few places. Near the end of the day we enter Sequoia National Park, which requires the use of bear canisters. Bear boxes are also distributed at many campsites. At my final campsite, back down at 9.5k, I fall off a log trying to cross a creek, and get wet feet. Several crossings in this area are tricky to cross, or are wet-foot crossings, as will be experienced tomorrow. A few other hikers are at this campsite, too weary to socialize.

Finished audiobook Jill the Reckless, by P G Wodehouse