Tag: PCT

PCT 2018 Day 29, May 21, Monday.

Start mile 680.9, Chimney Creek Campground

End Kennedy Meadows, mile 702.2, camp at Grumpy Bear restaurant tent sites

Miles walked: 21.3

Climbing up from the campground, a storm is visible in the distance, that appears to be small and local.

Though it appears the trail will go around the storm, the last three miles is in rain, a rarity for this trip so far.

I arrive at the Kennedy Meadows general store, and take a shuttle 2.5 miles to Grumpy Bears Resort and Restaurant.

I slouch at the bar, buy wifi, get a burger, later an indoor shower, but do not get laundry done today because the dryer is a clothesline, and rain comes intermittently. We can pitch tents outside for free, so I do.

The Grumpy is quite rustic, off-grid, with a generator going out back.

Kennedy Meadows starts the High Sierra section of the trip, with snow hiking, high mountain passes, and stunning landscapes. Time to study, talk to people, seek advice, for a most challenging few weeks.

PCT 2018 Day 28, May 20, Sunday.

Start Walker Pass Campground, mile 651

End mile 680.9, Chimney Creek Campground

Miles walked: 29.9

Past the highway we climb from 5.2k to 6.5k elevation, where one can look over Walker Pass, pathway from the Great Basin to Interior of California.
The trail seems to go way up and way down several times during the day, as hikers grumble and are not totally convinced that the route requires such climbs. By afternoon I am dragging.
The BLM has another no-fee campsite just past a water source, where I am the only occupant, until some group arrives late and builds a fire.

Finished audiobook Scaramouche by Rafael Sabatini

PCT 2018 Day 27, May 19, Saturday.

Start mile 621.0, micro tent site near trail

End Walker Pass Campground, mile 651

Miles walked: 30

Continuing in high desert, the trail descends to a dirt road at Bird Spring Pass with a water cache… and more. A group of trail angels put out a lovely spread, and I graze on fresh cooked quesadillas, cold soda, brownie, celery stick with dip, Snickers for later, assorted muffins, chex mix, grapes, and– oh yeah– a couple liters of water. The route climbs from 5.5k elevation to 6.8k, fueled by trail angel brunch, easy climbing. Later the path is on wide #lat mountain-top, mostly level, before descending to Walker Pass and interesting looking snow-kissed peaks further north. At Walker Pass Campground, another group of trail angels serve a massive slab of smoked beef brisket smothered in salsa with baked potato, rolls, and cold drinks. Some of these angels are out of Bakersfield, others from nearby Lake Isabella. New hiker names today included Milkshake, Blazer, Dragon, Zeroman, and John.