Today we had about 18.5 miles to reach Kennedy Meadows North. To get there we first made our first climb over 10,000 feet since returning to the Sierra. This marks the northern end of the High Sierra, and we’ll spend …
Category: Pacific Crest Trail
Day 136: A Long Hard Day
Maybe it’s the us and downs, maybe just the altitude, but today has left me sore and exhausted. We hiked about 28 miles, through beautiful scenery and views, climbing up over 9,000 feet and descending again, just to start a …
Day 135: Gaining Altitude
We spent most of the day today over 8,000 feet. There were lots of little ups and downs but nothing major, allowing us to acclimate to the higher elevations gradually. Views were spectacular all day, with something new every time …
Day 134: South Lake Tahoe
Because we had such a great camp spot, we lingered this morning, enjoying coffee and the lake before we finally got moving. We walked about 7.5 miles to hwy 50 and hitched into South Lake Tahoe to get some groceries …
Day 133: Desolation Wilderness
It was a long day today. We entered Desolation Wilderness where the PCT follows the Tahoe Rim Trail. We did get some nice views to Lake Tahoe, but the area is full of beautiful lakes. We had nicer weather today, …
Day 132: Thunderstorms
After almost five days without hiking, we were feeling a little stiff today. We had several thunderstorms in the night, but the tent was dry by morning fortunately. The clouds lingered, however, and the storms chased us all day. We …
Days 127-131: Flipping
We’ve had quite a few days off and it’s been great. We spent several days on Whidbey Island, then several days travelling back South again to get back on trail near Truckee, CA. We ate tons of food, watched television, …
Day 126: Back to Hart’s Pass
We had just 13.5 miles to return to Hart’s Pass today, where my Dad would be picking us up and bringing friends from Whidbey Island. I slept better last night than I have in days. Although the fever seems to …
Day 125: Canada!
Today was a rough day for me. I was sick in the night and got very little sleep. I was still feeling nauseous and achy in the morning and wanted nothing more than to just stay in bed all day. …
Day 124: Smoke
After clear skies and great views yesterday, we woke up today in a terrible haze, with some of the worst air quality we’ve had yet. We passed Hart’s Pass in the morning and learned from the ranger the fire is …
Day 123: Walking it Off
I was not feeling good last night and this morning. Feeling crappy but not serious leaves just one option, which is to walk it off. We had a slow morning as I was feeling sluggish, but we kept trucking along. …
Day 122: North Cascades National Park
Last night in Stehekin may have been the warmest night we’ve had on trail yet. No one slept well. We got the first shuttle back to the trailhead shortly after 9. It was a hot day, and combined with a …
Day 121: Stehekin
It was just 4.4 miles today to the High Bridge Ranger Station in North Cascades National Park. From there, we caught a shuttle down to Stehekin. The town is situated on Lake Chelan, Washington’s largest natural lake and one of …
Day 120: Walking in the Giant Trees
We both feel pretty good today after out long day yesterday, so we decided to get going early today and try for a 30. The first half of the day was climbing, the second half was descending. The hike today …
Day 119: Clear Skies
Today was a big day over some of the worst trail we’ve had yet. Aside from the 2 huge climbs we did, the trail was eroded, washed out, and covered with many fallen trees. Fortunately the haze from yesterday lifted …