PCT 2024 Section G Day 7 – On the trail again…

Goal for the day: Just a little further than my last attempt at a start from Kennedy Meadows

The previous year, I had started from the Kennedy Meadows Campground and was exhausted (mentally mostly) after only a little over 4 miles. This year, I’d start at Sherman Pass Road where I left the trail before my Zero Day. That would add 2.5 miles and I hoped to get further that the spot I did then. Didn’t have to be a lot further. There was a climb after that with very little shade, so I decided that was better tackled first thing the next morning.

That was a choice I made before adding a Zero Day, so I did have some thoughts that maybe I should push myself to go further on my first day back on the trail.

The shuttle from the resort dropped me and some other hikers off a little before 7am. Unfortunately, that meant I would miss the real breakfast from the resort’s kitchen and the General Store. I probably should have waited for breakfast since I hoped it would be a short day. But I decided to just go for it and had a bag of granola for breakfast and a Diet Coke I had bought the day before. 😀

After double checking my gear, I set off north once again on the PCT. The sun was rising above the mountains to the east to give me some company. I was a little worried at how fast the other hikers got out of sight on the valley floor, but then I remembered I was old and slow. 😀

I covered the first 2.5 miles relatively quickly and arrived at the campground. After, signing the register, I continued on the PCT.

Again, it seemed that I quickly came across the next major checkpoint for this part of the trail: The bridge over the South Fork of the Kern River

I checked my water, but still had enough to get to the next water source. I also had showered and had shade most of the way from the campground, so no reason to jump in and enjoy myself.

The water wasn’t deep enough here anyway. 😀

The trail then started to shift away from the river and the shade trees grew scarce. And once again it grew very hot. As I continued in the mid-day heat, I thought that maybe this was why I turned around the last time.

I reached the spot I had stopped and camped the prior year. The creek was still running, so there should be no problems with water further up. Trail reports had indicated the creek was running at several points higher up as well.

So, after some pictures, I continued past it. Didn’t want to tempt fate and stay close to it. Bad mojo.

Not that my target was that much further. Only another mile or so until the trail curved around a spot that had good campsites according to my trail info. And easy access to the creek

And SHADE.

While it was only around 2pm, I decided to stop there for the day. The next part would be an upward climb with very little shade. Water sources were also a little scarce after the first mile or so until it hit a big valley 4 miles up.

I put down my pack and surveyed the area for a good level, tent pad. There were many to choose from. As I surveyed the area, I approached a fire ring circled by logs to sit on.

And I jumped ten feet in the air and ten feet back…

Under one of the logs, I saw something long and thin…

I backed away, while reaching for my camera to take pictures and even a movie (see the Flickr albums below for the movie).

Once I was a safe distance away, I checked the movie.

Rattle on the end of the snake. Check. It was definitely a Rattlesnake.

Tongue flicking in and out. Check. It was alive.

I think I’ll set up my tent at the far end of the area.

Maybe I should have put my backpack back on and headed north on the trail some more, but the nice area to camp, with water and shade made me stay. Never did sit down at that fire ring that night, though. 😀

After setting up my tent in the shade at the far end of the area which would have a view of the setting sun, I relaxed and enjoyed the rest of the afternoon. Didn’t see the snake again, fortunately.

Several people came through the area, including a pair of hikers who took an afternoon siesta and meal before heading north again on the PCT. They were trying to avoid hiking the next section of trail in the hot afternoon.

I almost followed their lead, but decided it was too much trouble.

I just enjoyed the light from the sun as it slowly descended to the west of me.