Author: Jim, Sagebrush

PCT 2018 Day 49, June 10, Sunday.

Start North Kennedy Meadows, nearest trail mile 1016.9,

End mile 1021.9, small campsite

Miles walked: 5

Chipmunk and I had breakfast together in the lodge dining room, then he took me to Bridgeport while checking for hikers at the pass and that town.

My plan is to get wifi and cell phone service and plenty of town food. Bridgeport is a cute little tourist town with several good places to eat for hiker appetites. The library had wifi, and I complete most of my town checklist. I return to Sonora Pass with Chipmunk during his last hiker check of the day, usually around 4PM, before he returns his home. He saw around 11 hikers today, and those that wanted rides went to North Kennedy and not Bridgeport. He drops me off at the trailhead, and I hike just a few miles, far enough to get to a campsite. Will I encounter snow, you ask?

PCT 2018 Day 48, June 9, Saturday.

Start mile 1005.9 at campsite

End mile 1016.9, Sonora Pass (9.6k) and Highway 108, and accept ride to North Kennedy Meadows resort 10 miles away Miles walked: 11 Start climbing over snow, icy and slick in the morning. Is this how the day goes?

The trail goes high on the side of a ridge with a series of peaks. No more granite, the rock is dark, and crumbles like shale.

The snow fields are now perhaps 10 or 20% covering the trail, but so high and steep as to be more exciting than I want. The trail gusts suddenly in any direction, strong enough to move me and my backpack. The extreme conditions feel like 13k elevation, not 11k.

The path goes over the ridge summit and goes along the other side, repeating several times. The views are extraordinary.

Abruptly the path plunges down to the road and Sonora Pass.

Waiting at the highway is trail angel Chipmunk, who is giving rides to hikers in either direction, North Kennedy Resort or Bridgeport. He picked up 11 hikers today, and says we are early and the big surge will come in a couple of weeks. The resort has a nice package deal for hikers, but unfortunately does not have wifi. Chipmunk, who is also at the resort, says this year most hikers go to Bridgeport, but last year most went to Kennedy.

I am tickled by the bear looming over check-in. I am alone in my room of five beds.

Hiker roommates could share valuable intelligence, but alas… The resort caters mostly to trail rides, and dogs are in abundance.

Chipmunk and I share dinner and trade stories. He has hiked several sections of the PCT, and gives me some idea of what is to come.

PCT 2018 Day 47, June 8, Friday.

Start mile 980.0, campsites after stream crossing

End mile 1005.9 at campsite

Miles walked: 25.9

First over a small granite mountain, then up and over another at 9k elevation with some snow at top.

Then for several miles the path parallels a river with steady uphill, passing by several lakes.

The day has several fords, and much water on the trail from snow melt.

All afternoon the way climbs, to snow near lakes, and we leave Yosemite.

Late in the day is some gentle downhill, to prepare for a big steady climb tomorrow. I meet no PCT hikers, and only see one other person in the afternoon, a backpacker out for a week, as we ford a stream in opposite directions at the same time.

Finished audiobook Eastern Standard Tribe, by Cory Doctorow.