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Home ยป Archives for May 2022

May 2022

Day 58: Mile 878.7 (VVR) to 884.4

I have reached a point in my hike where I realize that I sleep better in the wilderness than at a hotel. While my bed at Vermillion Valley Resort was objectively more comfortable than my 3-inch sleeping pad, I’m a warm sleeper and always end up sweating in hotel beds. I love the fresh air… Read More »Day 58: Mile 878.7 (VVR) to 884.4

Day 51: Zero in Bishop, CA

While I never planned on taking a triple zero in Bishop, CA, this unexpected break was a chance for my body to rest and heal. My feet have recovered incredibly fast, although my fingers still have minor cuts and bruises. Tonight, I’m staying at Eastside Guesthouse, a genuinely lovely hostel that’s much cleaner and more… Read More »Day 51: Zero in Bishop, CA

Day 50: Zero in Bishop, CA

The Bishop area is well known for hiking and climbing opportunities, and there are no fewer than four outfitters within a 4-block radius. I took advantage of my second zero day to fine tune my gear a bit. I sent a few items back home to shed weight. For example, instead of an inflatable pillow,… Read More »Day 50: Zero in Bishop, CA

Day 49: Zero in Bishop, CA

Bishop is pretty nice as far as small towns are concerned. The charming town center features Old West facades, murals, several outfitters, and various dining venues. Several major grocery stores are located a mile away from the historic center. After spending the night at the Best Western, I moved to Hostel California, a popular PCT… Read More »Day 49: Zero in Bishop, CA

Day 48: Mile 774.7 to 788.9 (Kearsage Pass junction) through Forester Pass + Kearsage Pass Trail (Bishop, CA)

As I drifted off to sleep yesterday night, a hint of anxiety lingered in my mind. What would my experience be like ascending Forester Pass, the highest point of the Pacific Crest Trail? And more importantly, how would I fare descending the potentially treacherous northern side, still blanketed in snow? Today turned out to be… Read More »Day 48: Mile 774.7 to 788.9 (Kearsage Pass junction) through Forester Pass + Kearsage Pass Trail (Bishop, CA)

Day 47: Mile 766.3 (Whitney Creek/Mt. Whitney Crabtree Ranger Station) to 774.7 + Mt. Whitney

My alarm woke me up shortly after midnight, and I emerged from my quilt in a daze. I did not get much sleep—some hikers were up chatting near my tent until “late” in the afternoon. I had a quick breakfast while assembling the basic essentials for my night-time expedition to the summit of Mount Whitney:… Read More »Day 47: Mile 766.3 (Whitney Creek/Mt. Whitney Crabtree Ranger Station) to 774.7 + Mt. Whitney

Day 46: Mile 756.5 to 766.3 (Whitney Creek/Mt. Whitney Crabtree Ranger Station)

Today’s 10-mile stretch to the Mt. Whitney “base camp” (officially known as the Crabtree Ranger Station campsite) was short but demanding. In the morning, the trail descended gently towards Rock Creek, steadily losing elevation over four miles. The conditions were perfect: we were blessed with comfortable temperatures and a cloudless sky. Shortly before Rock Creek,… Read More »Day 46: Mile 756.5 to 766.3 (Whitney Creek/Mt. Whitney Crabtree Ranger Station)

Day 45: Mile 735.1 to 756.5

Today’s stretch was relatively easy. We covered a distance of over 21 miles with an elevation gain of only 2,694 feet. The trail was smooth and well graded all along. I started hiking leisurely at 7am. The sun was already up, shining brightly on a perfectly cloudless day. In the morning, we hiked through Mulkey… Read More »Day 45: Mile 735.1 to 756.5

Day 43: Mile 702.2 (Kennedy Meadows, CA) to 716.5 (Kern River/Monache Meadow)

Breakfast “service” at the Kennedy Meadows General Store was on par with dinner: slow and disorganized. While Grumpy’s churns out huge breakfasts from their professional kitchen like clockwork, the General Store employs a single staff member who cooks on a tiny grill. The “all-you-can-eat” offer also turned out to be a scam, since the “kitchen”… Read More »Day 43: Mile 702.2 (Kennedy Meadows, CA) to 716.5 (Kern River/Monache Meadow)

Day 42: Zero in Kennedy Meadows, CA

Kennedy Meadows, CA, is quite the experience. The community is literally off the grid, and the closest “town,” Inyokern, is merely designated as a census-designated place and an hour away by car. According to the official sign, Kennedy Meadows is home to 200 residents, but locals say there are only 70, and the 2020 United… Read More »Day 42: Zero in Kennedy Meadows, CA

Day 36: Mile 558.5 (Willow Springs Road/Tehachapi) to 583.3 (Golden Oaks Spring)

I am back on trail after a double zero in Tehachapi, CA, and once again, I dodged a weather event. Yesterday’s forecast called for persistent fog, low temperatures, and a wind advisory. A wind advisory while hiking through wind farms is a dreadful prospect. However, lower temperatures are generally a blessing. In any case, the… Read More »Day 36: Mile 558.5 (Willow Springs Road/Tehachapi) to 583.3 (Golden Oaks Spring)

Day 35: Zero in Tehachapi, CA

Day two of my double-zero in Tehachapi, CA was a lazy day. We relaxed at the pool and drank beer in the hot tub. That’s officially against the rules, but the hotel is decidedly hiker friendly—they even have a hiker box in the lobby—and the staff didn’t bat an eye. Joe, Michael, and I bid… Read More »Day 35: Zero in Tehachapi, CA

Day 34: Zero in Tehachapi, CA

Today is day one of my unscheduled double zero in Tehachapi, CA! I was supposed to arrive in the afternoon, but made it a day early after crushing 40+ miles yesterday. Mountain views aside, Tehachapi is as bland, uninspiring, and boring as possible—the epitome of the American suburban nightmare. The town center boasts a Walmart… Read More »Day 34: Zero in Tehachapi, CA

Day 32: Mile 508.1 (Horse Trail Camp) to 517.6 (Highway 138/Hikertown)

Today’s 10-mile jaunt took me to Hikertown, a quirky unofficial hiker hostel located next to the trail near Neenach, CA. Hikertown is a popular stop on the Pacific Crest Trail: it is not only a convenient resupply stop, but also a place to regroup, both physically and mentally, ahead of the daunting Aqueduct walk through… Read More »Day 32: Mile 508.1 (Horse Trail Camp) to 517.6 (Highway 138/Hikertown)