Start: tentsite at mile 888 End: Mammoth Lakes via Red's Meadow Miles covered: 18 PCT mile marker: 906/2652 Biggest challenge: Although the day started with relatively clear air, the last 10 miles included increasing smoke and ash from a fire near Red's Meadow. Highlight: It wasn't the best day on the trail (still better than … Continue reading Day 46 – 18 mi – PCT mile 906 →

Start: Vermillion Valley Resort End: tentsite at mile 888 Miles covered: 10 (+1.5 from the ferry back to the PCT) PCT mile marker: 888/2652 Highlight: Swimming near Silver Pass Lake. (Honorable mention: Paint Your Wagon made another appearance, this time driving the ferry and whistling, "You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby.") Biggest challenge: Evil, … Continue reading Day 45 – 11 mi – PCT mile 888 →

Start: tentsite at mile 870 End: Vermillion Valley Resort (VVR) Miles covered: 8.5 on the PCT, +1.5 to the VVR ferry dock PCT mile marker: 878/2652 Highlight: Food! After 10 days carrying a heavy load over high passes, rocks, and snow, I was ready for some serious chow. I ordered the biggest breakfast they had … Continue reading Day 44 – 10 mi – PCT mile 878 →

Start: Evolution Lake End: tentsite at mile 870 Miles covered: 27 PCT mile marker: 870/2652 Highlight: Relatively easy terrain over Selden Pass, especially compared to the previous few days. Biggest challenge: Dad-gum mosquitoes! I can't escape them.

Start: tentsite at mile 823 End: Evolution Lake Miles covered: 20 PCT mile marker: 843/2652 Highlight: So many beautiful lakes Biggest challenge: Muir Pass was a bear. Because I went over two passes the previous day, I didn't have enough left in the tank to stage myself close enough to Muir Pass to go over … Continue reading Day 42 – 20 mi – PCT mile 843 →

Start: tentsite at mile 802 End: tentsite at mile 823 Miles covered: 21 PCT mile marker: 823/2652 Highlight: Early morning calm lakes provided great photo opportunities. Biggest challenge: Two passes in one day--Pinchot and Mather. The Mather descent was particularly tricky, given the snow cover and the afternoon temperature. (The snow is harder to walk … Continue reading Day 41 – 21 mi – PCT mile 823 →

Start: Vidette Meadow Camp End: tentsite at mile 802 Miles covered: 15 (I got a late start on account of the hot breakfast, and I was as usual slow climbing over the pass. Today it was Glen Pass.) PCT mile marker: 802/2652 Highlight: More trail magic from the Vidette Meadow trail angels. They made sausage … Continue reading Day 40 – 15 mi – PCT mile 802 →

Start: tentsite at mile 771 End: Vidette Meadow Miles covered: 16 PCT mile marker: 787/2652 Highlight: I'd say Forester Pass, but I'd be lying. The highlight of the day was TRAIL MAGIC from the wonderful people who come to Vidette Meadow Campsite for a weekend every summer. It had to be really, REALLY good to … Continue reading Day 39 – 16 mi – PCT mile 787 →

Start: tentsite at mile 764 End: tentsite at mile 771 Miles covered: 7 on the PCT and 17 to Mount Whitney and back. Most of the 17 miles were with a day pack only, but I had to count them. It is Mount Whitney after all. PCT mile marker: 771/2652 Highlight: The summit, of course! … Continue reading Day 38 – 24 mi – PCT mile 771 →

Start: tentsite at mile 740 End: tentsite at mile 764 Miles covered: 24 PCT mile marker: 764/2652 Highlight: Doing the polar bear plunge at Chicken Spring Lake. (Honorable mention: running into the infamous trail angel, Scout, on the trail.) Biggest challenge: Keeping track of my gear. I set a pair of socks out in the … Continue reading Day 37 – 24 mi – PCT mile 764 →