Fox Mill Spring to Kern River
Something is not right with my air mattress. I went to sleep around 9:00 PM and by 11:00 PM the mattress was deflated enough that my hip was touching the ground. I blew it up and woke a few hours later to the same problem. Hum...I obviously have a slow leak...not good. Hopefully when I get to Kennedy Meadows tomorrow I can figure it out. Tonight I will just have to blown up the mattress every few hours.
Anyway, after blowing up the air mattress around 4:00 AM I was woken up by Faint Goat and Maya packing their stuff up around 5:00 AM. They were pretty quiet, so I was able to sleep for 1 more hour until waking up at 6:10 AM. When I got out of the tent I was surprised to see that Max and Bear Bait was already up as well...wow.
I packed up my stuff, filtered a couple of liters of water, ate breakfast and was ready to go around 7:45 AM...where did the time go? I guess I just moved slower today after the past 2 days of climbing. Even though Max and Bear Bait woke up early, their tent was still up and they were not close to being ready to leave, so Share Bear and I decided to head out first, but allowed Bear Bait into our morning hike picture.
Anyway, after blowing up the air mattress around 4:00 AM I was woken up by Faint Goat and Maya packing their stuff up around 5:00 AM. They were pretty quiet, so I was able to sleep for 1 more hour until waking up at 6:10 AM. When I got out of the tent I was surprised to see that Max and Bear Bait was already up as well...wow.
I packed up my stuff, filtered a couple of liters of water, ate breakfast and was ready to go around 7:45 AM...where did the time go? I guess I just moved slower today after the past 2 days of climbing. Even though Max and Bear Bait woke up early, their tent was still up and they were not close to being ready to leave, so Share Bear and I decided to head out first, but allowed Bear Bait into our morning hike picture.
Something is not right with my air mattress.
Yesterday there were bugs in our face for most of the afternoon hike, so today I decided to start off with my bug net on. This is the first time I have ever put it on so I hope it works out OK.
Ready for the bugs.
Right away the air felt pretty hot, especially at 8:00 AM. I think we are in for a hot day. Today's hike starts off climbing for the first 4 miles, then it is down for 6 miles, then a pretty flat grade for the last 5 miles. So, let's just get through the first 4 climbing miles. Luckily we had a nice view to look at as we climbed in the early morning heat.
Morning view.
Upward trail.
Just before 9:30 AM we saw what we thought was the saddle that ended the climb.
Almost to the saddle.
10 minutes later we were up and over the saddle and was rewarded with a view of the high Sierra mountains. I can't believe we heading into those snow-covered peaks in 2 days.
The high Sierra
See you soon.
Although there was no shade at the top, there was a breeze, so we took a 15 minute break which was just enough time to rest our backs and loosen our shoes. At the end of our break Bear Bait showed up, so we told her we could wait a few minutes before heading out. She said that sounded good and took off her shoes and sat down to rest. This looked like it would take her longer than a few minutes, so Share Bear and I headed down the trail without her....Strike 2 for the day Bear Bait.
The down was not too bad since it was pretty gradual, but it was really hot and we were hiking through a burn area so there was no shade. Although there is a lack of trees, there is still beauty in the burn area:
The down was not too bad since it was pretty gradual, but it was really hot and we were hiking through a burn area so there was no shade. Although there is a lack of trees, there is still beauty in the burn area:
PCT sign of the day in the burn area.
Valley view through the burn area.
Lonely burned tree.
Another view of a valley in the distance.
The goal at this point is to make it to Manter Creek at the 10.42 mile point. This is were we will eat lunch and hopefully collect and filter water since we are drinking more water than anticipated today due to the heat and lack of shade. We also assumed that if there is a creek there will hopefully be shade trees.
Around 1:00 PM we made it to where the PCt crossed the creek, but it was dry. We walked a bit further and found Audible sitting under a tree. He said there was a puddle of water a little bit further up, so I walked to it and decided I wasn't quite thirsty enough to filter the bug infested puddle. Share Bear and I then took out water inventory and decided we had just enough water to make it the 5 miles to the next water source.
We sat under the tree to eat lunch, but the tree was barely providing enough shade to keep us comfortable, plus we were thirsty and lunch didn't sound good. Audible then arrived back...I thought he took off for good...and announced he had found water. Thank you Audible. He walked me up the trail about 20 yards and we saw this sign on the ground:
Around 1:00 PM we made it to where the PCt crossed the creek, but it was dry. We walked a bit further and found Audible sitting under a tree. He said there was a puddle of water a little bit further up, so I walked to it and decided I wasn't quite thirsty enough to filter the bug infested puddle. Share Bear and I then took out water inventory and decided we had just enough water to make it the 5 miles to the next water source.
We sat under the tree to eat lunch, but the tree was barely providing enough shade to keep us comfortable, plus we were thirsty and lunch didn't sound good. Audible then arrived back...I thought he took off for good...and announced he had found water. Thank you Audible. He walked me up the trail about 20 yards and we saw this sign on the ground:
Thanks for the sign!
We walked about 70 yards and there was a nice, flowing creek...awesome. I collected 4 liters and returned to our tree to filter and to guzzle a liter or so of water. Another hiker showed up parched, so I gave him some water to power him enough to collect and filter his own.
I managed to then eat lunch, but Share Bear wasn't feeling well from the heat and lack of good shade. I guess the Canadians aren't good at high heat. She moved under some bushes and tried to find some shade under her umbrella.
I managed to then eat lunch, but Share Bear wasn't feeling well from the heat and lack of good shade. I guess the Canadians aren't good at high heat. She moved under some bushes and tried to find some shade under her umbrella.
Poor, hot Canadian.
At this point Max and Bear Bait showed up and found a patch of shade in the other side of the tree as I just tolerated the sun. Finally I decided that if I was going to sit in the sun, then I might as well hike. Even though she wasn't feeling well. Share Bear decided to join me. She was feeling bit better since drinking some Gatorade and was able to eat a couple of granola bars.
Of course Bear Bait and Max wasn't ready to hike since they were just starting lunch...Strike 3!
This terrain of last 5 miles of our hike today promises to be great, if it wasn't for this darn heat. Plus, every time we stop there are horseflies attacking us. Oy!!!
The only thing that got us through these 5 miles is the knowledge that the Kern River is there and we will be camping on it tonight. A PCT handbook states that the Kern River is the most water we have seen to this point on the PCT and that we could even swim in it. Sounds great on this hot day as we hike and drink hot Gatorade and water.
We hiked and hiked and finally noticed a valley of green just ahead. The Kern River must be down there.
Of course Bear Bait and Max wasn't ready to hike since they were just starting lunch...Strike 3!
This terrain of last 5 miles of our hike today promises to be great, if it wasn't for this darn heat. Plus, every time we stop there are horseflies attacking us. Oy!!!
The only thing that got us through these 5 miles is the knowledge that the Kern River is there and we will be camping on it tonight. A PCT handbook states that the Kern River is the most water we have seen to this point on the PCT and that we could even swim in it. Sounds great on this hot day as we hike and drink hot Gatorade and water.
We hiked and hiked and finally noticed a valley of green just ahead. The Kern River must be down there.
Green must mean river.
At this point Audible caught and past us as he was anxious to get to the river as well. Then Share Bear yelled that she sees the river. Sure enough, there is was:
Good spot Share Bear.
We were now walking above the river when we saw a path that led down to it. Maybe there is a campsite down there. So I headed down with Share Bear close behind. I was almost to the river which looked like a nice swimming hole when I saw something move right in front of me on the trail. I jumped back as it uncoiled and rattled at me and I fell backwards and pulled myself on my butt back from the snake as Share Bear helped pull me back and helped me stand up and get the heck out of there. Another darn rattlesnake encounter. I can't wait to get to the mountains where they don't live...do they?!?
So, we returned to the trail and kept walking hoping to find a sandy beach it something that we could camp on and access the river. We thought we were out of luck when we looked down and saw some campsites with a path headed to the river. There was no beach, but there is nice access to get into it along the shore.
So, we returned to the trail and kept walking hoping to find a sandy beach it something that we could camp on and access the river. We thought we were out of luck when we looked down and saw some campsites with a path headed to the river. There was no beach, but there is nice access to get into it along the shore.
The Kern River.
Share Bear and I got right in and it wasn't very cold. We were actually able to lie on our backs with rocks under us when Share Bear noticed small leaches on her. We then jumped out and cleared each other of leaches and returned to camp. Even with the leaches it was well worth getting in and cleaning our body and clothes some.
Share Bear, Audible, and I found some shade and hung out and cooked and ate dinner. Share Bear's dinner consisted of instant mashed potatoes with bacon, ranch-flavored tuna, a piece of cheese, a mayonnaise packet, and some crackers crumbed on top. She pretty much out everything she had left in her food bag minus tomorrow's breakfast.
Share Bear, Audible, and I found some shade and hung out and cooked and ate dinner. Share Bear's dinner consisted of instant mashed potatoes with bacon, ranch-flavored tuna, a piece of cheese, a mayonnaise packet, and some crackers crumbed on top. She pretty much out everything she had left in her food bag minus tomorrow's breakfast.
Share Bear's dinner concoction.
As we finished dinner, Max and Bear Bait finally showed up. We were now all together and good for the night.
We all set up our tents and filtered some water for the morning. Tomorrow we plan on waking at 6:00 AM and be hiking by 7:00 AM. They all have 4.72 miles to the Kennedy Meadows store and I have 6.38 to the campground where Tim is right now. Then we get to relax the rest of the day and prepare to hike into the high Sierra.
Until then, I better get some sleep assuming my air mattress allows me. At least there is the awesome sound of a river in the background.
We all set up our tents and filtered some water for the morning. Tomorrow we plan on waking at 6:00 AM and be hiking by 7:00 AM. They all have 4.72 miles to the Kennedy Meadows store and I have 6.38 to the campground where Tim is right now. Then we get to relax the rest of the day and prepare to hike into the high Sierra.
Until then, I better get some sleep assuming my air mattress allows me. At least there is the awesome sound of a river in the background.
My home on the river for the night.
Another rainflap-less night.
RSS Feed
