We headed out of camp at 6:45 and started by crossing the small stream we were camping by.
We continue uphill today for 4 miles before we start dropping back down towards Kennedy Meadows.
The trail takes us up a valley and has turned from forest area to a Desert scrub, and rock
4.08 miles in and have reached the top of today’s big climb. I’m happy with my time, one hour and 45 minutes. Roughly 2.3 mph on an uphill climb. Far ahead, you can see the snow covered peaks of the sierra mountains.
The Trail quickly descends along the sides of the mountains into the valley. You can see across the valley to trail that we came down.
We stopped by a stream with a nice sitting area for lunch and are continuing on towards Kennedy
I’m hiking through one of those areas that I enjoy where there are rocks that are seemingly placed randomly in the middle of nothing
Found this guy on the trail have not seen these colors on a lizard before he is camouflage with the granite fantastically
I think this rock looks like Jabba the Hut from Star Wars
We have a beautiful views behind us looking down the valley. The Kern river flows along the right side of it. If you zoom in on the picture, you can see it.
I am again walking past beautiful large fields of wildflowers
The trail hikes alongside the south fork of the Kern river. An example of some of the rivers we may have to cross later in the Sierras.
We made it to Kennedy Meadows, 700 miles from the Mexican border. This point is considered one of the iconic and meaningful way points along the trail. Although we have officially entered Kennedy Meadows, we still have just over 3 miles to reach the general store considered one of the major milestones.
Off in the distance, you can see the Kern river as it is comes into the meadow spread out and smooth. This would be the first place we would be able to cross had we needed to earlier on that would be about a 2 1/2 mile detour each direction crossing, thankfully, the Trail remains on the side of the river.
Our old friend the pipe gate is making an appearance. We have not seen him in quite some time.
We made it to Kennedy Meadows Road. We will now go off trail and do a .7 mile walk to the general store where we await a greeting from other hikers.
We have arrived at Kennedy Meadows, General store. As is customary, we were greeted with applause from those who already arrived.
The general store offers free camping on the back of their property and we set up amongst many other hikers who will also try to decide how to proceed due to the unprecedented snow.
Today’s miles 19.1 (.7 off trail not counted in total trail miles.)Total trail miles 702.2
Safety 1st! Those rivers are no joke!
ReplyDelete