PCT Section Hike 2022 – And now… Day 10

So after being unable to continue beyond Tilden Lake or being able to restart my PCT section hike in July, I watched the weather and smoke reports for the following month. I also was checking the permit availability for various other hikes that I might do.

In early August, I had a permit for Shepherds Pass, but my finger was still sore so I was pretty certain that Mt Williamson would not happen this year.

That didn’t mean that other backpacking hikes were impossible.

With smoke from the fires in the southern parts of Yosemite thinning out and blowing in different directions, the sections of the PCT I had wanted to hike in early July were looking a bit more inviting. Although there have been a few large fires in California this year, the number of fires has been quite low in comparison to the prior few years and not as many near Yosemite and Lake Tahoe.

So in mid-August, I decided I should try restarting my PCT section hike from Sonora Pass. Permits were easy to get from that point, so all I had to do was pack my gear. Fortunately, I had cleaned up and repaired my gear from July and had it ready for a 8 day trek from Shepherds Pass just in case I would be able to do that hike.

So after a “Zero Month” (as opposed to a zero day when thru hikers take a day to rest), I grabbed my gear, picked up a permit at the Summit Ranger station, and drove to Sonora Pass to start my trek to Echo Lake.

They couldn’t give me a permit all the way to Donner Pass since the Desolation Wilderness had very tight limits. I’d worry about continuing north on that part of the PCT if I actually made it to Echo Lake (which was 75.5 miles away).

Goal for the day: Finish the initial climb and camp somewhere near the pass or top of canyon.

I started around noon due to the time to drive from the Bay Area and pick up the permit, but I had expected this to be a short day to start. The first part was a thousand foot climb. Not a huge climb in the grand scheme of things, but starting a long multi-day hike with a full 48 pound backpack was never going to set any speed records.

After the initial climb wound up the side of a rough cliff, I reached a lava rock formation at a corner in the trail. It was a good place to stop for a long break and enjoy the view, so I did. Unfortunately, after telling myself to be careful with my Gatorade bottle the wind knocked it loose and it slid down a nearby chute.

Fortunately, it didn’t go far. Any further and I’d have had to leave it behind. But I managed to make a safe scramble down some loose rock with the occasional solid rock holds and retrieve it. Even if I had a backup water container I could use for my Gatorade, loosing it on day 1 (or day 10 of my overall PCT section hikes this year as I’m numbering the days now) would be very annoying.

After completing the climb up to an unnamed pass leading to the canyon the East Fork of the Carson River ran down, I took in the view before and behind me. Beautiful.

The plan was to find a campsite near the top of the pass or along the first part of the canyon, but it turned out to be a very lush and rocky canyon with no flat areas in sight. I had to continue down, worrying that I’d loose the view if I went too far down into the canyon.

With it getting near 6pm due to the late start, I really had to find someplace to camp. I did find a flat area to setup my tent, although there may have a been a few small grasses and plants that I’d have to put the tent over. Not ideal and against the rules, but I didn’t have any other choices that I could see.

There was a good view for the sunset and the evening light as the light faded from the canyon. I went to sleep with a bit of satisfaction that I had managed to restart my PCT section hike after a short 1 month rest. 🙂