Daily Miles: 20.3, Total Miles: 853.3 Got up this morning to three whitetail inspecting the campsite. We followed the Middle Fork Kings River all the way to the headwaters. And then on to Helen Lake named after John Muir’s daughter. After traversing and crossing several snowbanks, we made it to Muir Pass at 11,973 ft. A stone hut honoring John Muir sits right at the top. Shortly after arriving, another hiker summited, took off her backpack and stripped naked. She…

Daily Miles: 21.2, Total Miles: 833.0 Another new day, another new pass! We hiked five miles up the headwaters of the South Fork Kings River and started the ascent of the rock wall called Mathers Pass at 12,100 ft. The south side was relatively free of snow. Took a nice break on the summit taking pics and eating a snack. Now beautiful views north to the rugged 14,000 ft. Palisades group and lakes below. Coming down the north side was…

Daily Miles: 17.0, Total Miles: 811.8 Cold night and a bit breezy but the morning mostly clear. We passed by the remainder of very scenic Rae Lakes, Arrowhead Lake and Dollar Lake before reaching the suspension bridge at Woods Creek. It was a good stop for a snack and to dry everything from yesterday’s snow and last night’s condensation. Next up was the long 7.5-mile, 3,500 ft push to Pinchot Pass at 12,130 ft. On the way up, we ran…

Daily Miles: 4.6, Total Miles: 794.8 We couldn’t pass up another breakfast at Alabama Hills and then 5-Star and I caught a bus to Independence to pick up my re-supply box. Well worth the $3.50 charge. Tough hitching a ride back to the TH so we bribed a young man to take four of us back to the TH for $10 apiece. Finally back on the trail and chugged back up to Kersage Pass. Much cooler, strong winds and dark…

Daily Miles: 2.9, Total Miles: 790.2 I awoke to the smell of wild onions that are growing along the riverbanks. Only about three official PCT miles to the Kersage trail junction with nice views of Bullfrog Lake and then another three miles to Kersage Pass at 11,771 ft. And another five miles down to the Onion Valley TH. A day hiker from Las Vegas gave 5-Star and I a ride into Lone Pine. Thanks Brian! We checked into the Dow…

Daily Miles: 21.0, Total Miles: 787.3 I was told I was snoring my 8pm last night. The PCT for the most of the next 176 miles is also the John Muir Trail. Got another early start for the climb to Forester Pass at 13,180 ft, the highest point on the PCT. A few hours into the hike, I was having some chest pain – hoping not heart problems with the exertion and elevation. Fortunately a false alarm – with some…

Daily Miles: 0, Total Miles: 766.3 The Mt Whitney hike mileage (17 miles) is not part of the PCT so I can’t count it as official mileage. Having said that, it was just too good to pass up even though an over 4,000 ft elevation gain to the summit at 14,505 ft. Figured I may never be in this kind of shape again so better go for it! 5-Star and I were on the trail by 5:15am. We passed Timberline…

Daily Miles: 22.5, Total Miles: 766.3 I hiked to Mulkey Pass at 10,380 ft and then on to Cottonwood Pass at 11,160 ft. Found just one patch of snow at Cottonwood while trying to get a phone signal. Got water at Chicken Springs Lake – Jug and some brave souls were swimming. Drinking water will not be an issue for awhile – a bit of a weight trade-off for the bear vault. Very scenic mountains and overall stunning Sierra views….

Daily Miles: 23.2, Total Miles: 743.8 I started with the first of three climbs to above 10,500 ft. Great views of the Mt Whitney group and the Kern Plateau most of the day. On one of the climbs, I was entertained by some fighter jets on training flights. They would fly over, screaming over the mountains and roll, flying upside down over the passes, almost at eye level at times. The clouds built up in the afternoon and some thunder…