Tenting next to Bubs Creek (mile 787.1). Walked 18.1 miles today.
Well it was definitely freezing last night. I was a little cold, but Frank and Jedi, who cowboy camped, were really freezing. Frank's water bottle was completely frozen. We set the alarm for 5 am with hopes of being on the trail by 6 am. As I was in a tent and the warmest, I was first out of camp...at 6:45 am. The trail rose and fell over several miles.
At 9 am I crossed Tyndall Creek which is often a difficult crossing, but today was an easy rock hop.
From here, I climbed up toward our first (and the highest) of the big passes we'll go over.
As I walked today, the marmots were out in full force . I saw 14 in total.
At the 8 mile mark today, I crossed a stream (and slipped , getting my toes on one shoe wet). Hot Pink, Sure Foot, Rambo, Narrator, Kiwi, Magnet, and Microbe were there. Sisyphus and Jedi have started referring to them as "The Borg" (from Star Trek) because their group just keeps growing and they keep assimilating others into their group). I took some pics for them and then they set off. I filtered some water, ate some snacks, and then took off behind them. I caught up them about halfway up the switchbacks on Forester Pass. We all summited together, reaching 13,200 feet: the highest point on the PCT.
It's all downhill from here. Spent an hour up there before Frank and Jedi caught up. Hung out then crossed the pass, out of Sequoia National Park and into Kings Canyon National Park (second national park of the trail). A little soft snow to navigate but nothing too horrible.
Continued down the north side of the pass and into Kings Canyon National Park. It was absolutely gorgeous.
How did I not know this place existed before now? It's incredible and one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen.
Continued down and passed The Borg resting in and along Bubs Creek.
Got to a shady campsite along the creek and put up here for the night. This valley has incredible scenery, but tomorrow we'll leave it to go to town and resupply.
You’ve seen a lot of places so Kings Canyon must be spectacular; have added it to my list! Bubs creek looks more like a river; it must be alarming to cross in a regular snow year. Since Forester Pass is the highest point, the rest is downhill, right? Ha!
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine this place in a normal snow year. It would be so ridiculously difficult. Bubs Creek was not quite big enough for a river...at least by Western US standards.
DeleteI'm just awestruck by all of this scenery, I feel like I keep saying the same things - they're just amazing! Really appreciate the marmots too. They're very cute. Hooray for Forester Pass!
ReplyDeleteI've lost track of how many Marmots I've seen... somewhere around 30 now I think. The scenery is just unbelievable. Every pass and turn in the trail reveals something new and I've stopped updating my rank of favorite places because it keeps changing!
DeleteHaha! That sound amazing.
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