August 31
I woke up at my normal time and got ready to go. My campsite was surrounded by steep mountains on both sides of me, and the river running close behind. today is the day I find out how I will cross the South Fork of the San Joaquin River. I camped by two other hikers, Purple Thunder and Manimal. They will be crossing this morning as well. I was ready at 6:30. Their tents are still up. I waited around until 645 and slowly started walking Towards the area of the destroyed bridge. I am hoping they catch up and we can cross as a group.
I arrived at the bridge site, which when the words blown up are used, seems kind of silly. It’s collapsed at the middle and just laying in the river. It’s tied off on both sides with big cables. There is a workers camp just beyond it, I passed by, scrambled up over some rocks and did some route finding back down to the river. It took me about 15 minutes checking various places until I found what I believe was the shallowest and slowest moving water. The other hikers did not arrive so I put on my water shoes and proceeded across myself without incident. The water at highest was a couple inches above my knee and the current was not very Swift.
Having crossed the river I now continue down the valley. I must say there is a huge sense of accomplishment having overcome what has been said is one of the biggest challenges of the Trail. I look up and down the valley and admire its beauty as I take a minute to pause, and just be thankful.
I have reached Piute creek bridge and the Paiute pass Junction. Had I done the recommended Bishop to Paiute detour this is where I would have re-entered the trail having missed everything I saw yesterday and this morning. I am so glad I continued to explore the bridge options.
Today’s next challenge is Selden pass 7 miles uphill to 11,000 feet
Some of today’s hike has been through Manzanita and fairly exposed mountain side, but there are some other areas of nice green lush forest.
These larger, yellow daisy like flowers, are known as Owlsclaws. The purple, long stemmed thistle is known as Anderson,’s thistle. Naked buckwheat has fox tail like stocks with a white bushy flower, and Leichrin’s Mariposa Lily sports a white flower with maroon arrow at the base and a yellow center.
The trail passes through the middle of this beautiful meadow with a stream running through it lined with flowers.
After a little more uphill, I come to the Sallie Keys lakes sitting high up in the mountains. They are absolutely stunning.
After going up and over a saddle, which is false hope of being the Seldon Pass, I come to Heart lake another beautiful, high mountain lake. Sitting above Heart lake I finally see Selden pass.
As I continued up I went through a gorgeous valley and meadow. On my ascent to the pass, I remember to turn around. Looking back it is sheer beauty..
I arrive to the top of Selden Pass. I met a couple other hikers up here we had lunch and admired the views.
I hiked down past Marie lake and continued down the valley. I eventually reach bear creek, which is considered one of the wider and more dangerous crossings on the trail. It is similar to evolution Creek. They are both running, fairly low and slow in my opinion, and crossing was knee-deep with no issues.
The section I am on now goes through large granite slab fields, and has large Granite peaks on the side
The trail has continued to parallel alongside Bear Creek. Sometimes it is wide and slow other times. It is rapid and fierce.
The trail has veered away from bear creek, and climbed sharply uphill towards my selected campsite. I arrived and found incredible views on the mountain side, and a stream right at the back of camp. I got my tent, set up, made my dinner, and then settling in an hour earlier than previous nights.
Today’s PCT miles hiked 20.5
Total PCT Miles hiked to date 2176.3
PCT mile marker 873.7
(Returned to complete 303.4 flipped over)
Miles left:
Kearsarge - Echo 218.6
Snoqualmie-Terminus 259.5
Total 478.1
