Kern River to Kennedy Meadows Campground
What a great place to sleep. With the flat site and the sound of the river everything was great. The worst part of the night was when the full moon rose above the mountains and was glaring brightly into the tent.
As planned we woke at 6:00 AM and were all ready to go, except Bear Bait who had to filter some more water, at 7:26 AM. Max was going to wait for Bear Bait but we let him in our morning picture since he was ready to hike as well.
As planned we woke at 6:00 AM and were all ready to go, except Bear Bait who had to filter some more water, at 7:26 AM. Max was going to wait for Bear Bait but we let him in our morning picture since he was ready to hike as well.
Max, Share Bear, and I ready to hike
Today we finally make it to Kennedy Meadows, the gateway to the Sierra. For everyone that starts the PCT, their dream is to make it to mile 702, Kennedy Meadows knowing that if you make it there you have a pretty good shot at completing the thru-hike. Of course that assumes you don't get hurt or sick or tired or it snows before October in the Cascades. But in general, if you can stick it out through the desert of Southern California then you can make it to Canada.
However, before the celebration, we need to hike the 4 miles there. Of course we had nice scenery to hike though. All 4 miles was a desert meadow with mountains all around.
However, before the celebration, we need to hike the 4 miles there. Of course we had nice scenery to hike though. All 4 miles was a desert meadow with mountains all around.
Morning view.
Just under 2 miles into the hike we reached the next milestone...700 MILES!!!
Proof I'm standing at Mile 700
700 mile pose.
Check out this amazing meadow with mountains all around:
Awesome
Share Bear enjoying today's hike.
Audible left ahead of us this morning, but slowed down when he got close to Kennedy Meadows to wait for us.
PCT sign of the day with gate and Share Bear and Audible.
Just after 9:00 PM we arrived at the road that lead to the Kennedy Meadows General Store. This is where Share Bear and Audible turned off and I continued on to the Kennedy Meadows Campground 2.44 more miles, where Tim is. As I hiked I saw Tim riding his motorcycle towards the store. Oh well...Share Bear will send him back to the campground.
Sure enough, about 10 minutes later he was returning. I jumped on a nearby rock and was able to catch his eye. He slowed down to wave and I continued to the campground.
Sure enough, about 10 minutes later he was returning. I jumped on a nearby rock and was able to catch his eye. He slowed down to wave and I continued to the campground.
Self-portrait "Happy to see Tim"
Just before 10:00 AM I finally arrived at my destination:
Kennedy Meadows Campground.
I walked to the site as Tim was retuning his bike to the trailer. I was anxious to get in the 4Runner and drive to the store where everyone else was. I had heard and read so much about this place that I couldn't wait to check it out.
But first, Tim had to wait for the bike to cool down before loading all the stuff back in the trailer. Then he had to cook a steak that he bought before it went bad. Then we had to wait for the grill to cool down after cooking the steak.
Finally, around 12:15 PM we headed to the store. It was pretty much what I had pictured. An old, general store with hikers all over it taking a break before heading into the mountains. I saw many hikers I had seen on the trail including Neon Butt Cheeks who I haven't seen in a couple of weeks. Also, surprisingly, I saw Bagel who I met before my snakebite fiasco. He came off the trail for 3 weeks for mandatory family activities.
The scene was crazy and exciting and a bit nerve racking since it means we have made it through the desert and now we have to tackle a whole new animal, the high Sierra.
But first, Tim had to wait for the bike to cool down before loading all the stuff back in the trailer. Then he had to cook a steak that he bought before it went bad. Then we had to wait for the grill to cool down after cooking the steak.
Finally, around 12:15 PM we headed to the store. It was pretty much what I had pictured. An old, general store with hikers all over it taking a break before heading into the mountains. I saw many hikers I had seen on the trail including Neon Butt Cheeks who I haven't seen in a couple of weeks. Also, surprisingly, I saw Bagel who I met before my snakebite fiasco. He came off the trail for 3 weeks for mandatory family activities.
The scene was crazy and exciting and a bit nerve racking since it means we have made it through the desert and now we have to tackle a whole new animal, the high Sierra.
The crazy Kennedy Meadows scene.
Hikers everywhere.
We didn't see the group so figured they got a ride to the restaurant down the road. We went there and found them and hung out a bit, then we returned to the store then back to the campground where Mary and Brad finally arrived just after 4:00 PM.
After much catching up, Mary fed us an awesome dinner of salads and fruit and bread and chicken (for brad and Tim) when finally Share Bear showed up. She told us that Max and Bear Bait had some stuff to take care of tomorrow and wouldn't be joining us for the hike in the morning. They will be leaving sometime tomorrow afternoon and will hopefully catch up to us on the third night at Horseshoe Meadows where we will meet back up with Tim and Mary. Audible, however, will be joining us.
After dinner everyone was sorting out all their food and gear for the next 3 days and then hit the tents around 8:30 PM. The plan is to wake at 6:00 AM and leave before 8:00 AM.
Unfortunately, this campground isn't the best for flat tent spots so Tim couldn't pitch the nice big Coleman tent, so we are sleeping in our 2-person Tarptent, but at least we can use a full-size pillow.
After much catching up, Mary fed us an awesome dinner of salads and fruit and bread and chicken (for brad and Tim) when finally Share Bear showed up. She told us that Max and Bear Bait had some stuff to take care of tomorrow and wouldn't be joining us for the hike in the morning. They will be leaving sometime tomorrow afternoon and will hopefully catch up to us on the third night at Horseshoe Meadows where we will meet back up with Tim and Mary. Audible, however, will be joining us.
After dinner everyone was sorting out all their food and gear for the next 3 days and then hit the tents around 8:30 PM. The plan is to wake at 6:00 AM and leave before 8:00 AM.
Unfortunately, this campground isn't the best for flat tent spots so Tim couldn't pitch the nice big Coleman tent, so we are sleeping in our 2-person Tarptent, but at least we can use a full-size pillow.
Our home for the night.
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