PCT: Days 60 – 65

Day 60 – Walmart

Start: Vasquez Rocks – 453.6
End: Vasquez. Rocks – 453.6
Miles: 0.0

“Zero” day in a hotel room in Palmdale. We had Uber’ed there the evening before.
Today was a lot about standing around and waiting. It was not very restful as a zero day should be.

After breakfast at the hotel we got a ride from trail angel Richard from Palmdale to the Walmart in Tehachapi. We got there about 11:15 am. All-In was picking us up and taking us to Ridgecrest but that wasn’t until about 5 pm.

We got a couple shopping carts and each put in our packs. Outside we determined how much food to purchase and inside we went. However, by this time is was lunch time and a Subway was conveniently inside the Walmart.

After lunch we wandered around the store getting our resupply, taking our sweet time. Once done we went back outside and put our food together. Then we had nothing to do. We looked for some grass and shade but we didn’t see any. So we just hung around the front of the store acting like real “hiker trash”. Luckily we were in the shade of the building as the temps were starting to climb into the 80s.

We made some phone calls, worked on our blog and video, and ate more food. Finally at 4:45 pm All In showed up. We made the hour drive to Ridgecrest, had some dinner and checked into our hotel.

Later, Mile Marker and Incline came over for a visit. They had already hiked to Kennedy Meadows a couple days earlier and were giving us intel on what laid ahead. It was good to talk to them both.

Day 61 – Passes and Valleys
Start: Walker Pass – 653.3
End: Spanish Needle creek – 669.9
Miles: 16.6
Ascent: 3487 ft | Descent: 3675 ft

Start time: 9:09 am
End time: 6:17 pm
Current elevation: 5113 ft

One step closer to Kennedy Meadows South – the gateway to the very much snow covered Sierra Nevada mountains.

All In picked us up from our hotel and we drove to drop off his rental car. Then we walked across the street to our bus stop. We were taking the Kern Transit bus to Walker Pass for only $3 each! What a deal!

We arrived at the trailhead just after 9 am and of course the first thing we must do is climb up. It was an 8.5 mile climb to the junction of a spur trail that went up Owens peak. We averaged about 2.4 mph and by 11:30 am we were at the top of the climb.

Then it was a long way down to our first water source. By the time we there both Jelly and All in we’re out of water. We took our time at the creek. Had some snacks and soaked our tired feet in the creek.

Since we started about two hours later than usual, we ended our day later. But we still hiked for over 9 hours. It was a good day to be on trail with on of our friends. We had missed that per of the trail experience during the last section.

We had 5.2 more miles to get to our intended campsite for the night at Spanish Needle Creek. However, this of course involved another climb. Not a big one but when a climb is at the end of a day it is hard. Then it was 2.2 more miles down to our site.

Day 62 – A Good Day

Start: Spanish Needle creek – 669.9
End: Fox Mill Spring – 684.3
Miles: 14.4
Ascent: 3577 ft| Descent: 2067 ft

Start time: 6:38 am
End time: 3:57 pm
Current elevation: 6529 ft

It was a pretty good day of hiking. First thing in the morning of course is a 4.2 mile climb. We thought we’d get they done in no time, however, the trail had other ideas. The trail was rocky with lots of blowdowns making for slow going. Once on top of the saddle we had a great view of the Owens Valley. We had a quick snack and continued on our way.

Next was the downhill towards Chimney Creek. We also thought that by lunch time we would had 12 miles done and we would be at Chimney Creek. Well that didn’t happen either. We didn’t get to Chimney creek until after 2:30 pm.

We soaked our tired feet in the ice cold water of the creek and relaxed for a few minutes. We only had 2.3 miles to go to our campsite for the night, Fox Mill Creek.

Day 63 – Kennedy Meadows
Start: Fox Mill Spring – 684.3
End: KMS – 703.4
Miles: 19.1
Ascent: 2625 ft | Descent: 3199 ft

We didn’t make a lot of miles today but we also did not want to dry camp. Dry camping means that there is no water source at your campsite and you have to carry all of your water in for dinner and next days breakfast and hiking to next water.

Start time: 6:42 am
End time: 4:37 pm
Current elevation: 6144 ft
Add 0.8 miles to KMGS

The morning started off a little rough. Ellen was not in the mood to get out of bed. Once she did, she was not feeling the hike today.

Our first order of business was another 4.2 mile climb. Luckily the trail was not very steep. It only took us 2 hours to get to the top. Once at the top we really got our first glimpse of the snow covered Sierras. Beautiful!

Then it was a long 6.5 mile decent to our next water source. This was a very long boring walk. You’d go around a corner of the ridge and see exactly where the trail is and looks exactly what you just did. Ellen was still in a slow mood and decided to listen to some music to get her through this section.

We made it down around 11:30 am. We basically did over 10 miles before lunch. Now it was decision time. Do we go another 9 miles to get to Kennedy Meadows or do we go only about 5 miles and camp? Since it was still early we decided to go for it.

Although it was very hot, we did the next 2.9 miles in one hour! Eventually we reached the Kern River and hiked along it for a while. It was roaring from all the snow melt in the mountains. We stopped after another couple miles at the Pine river to filter water and cool down a bit.

It was now about 3:15 pm and we only had 3.5 miles to go. We decided to slow down a bit. We still made good time and made it to the road to Sherman Road and started the 0.7 mile road walk to the Kennedy Meadows General Store at 4:05pm.

We found the Kennedy Meadows community sign and of course took a picture and then soon after we reached the store and received applause from the hikers on the porch congratulating us for making it 700 miles! We all got a little choked up.

Once on the porch we sat around, got a drink and some chips. Lasagna was served after 6 pm and then it was time to get a campsite. KMGS has property behind their building where they allow hikers to camp for free. It was a tent city back there.

Since we were taking a zero the next day, we decided to hang out on the porch and watch karaoke.

Day 64 “zero” day
Start: KMS – 703.4
End: KMS – 703.4
Miles: 0.0

“Zero” day at Kennedy Meadows South.

Great day on/off trail. We slept in and then got a ride to Grumpy Bear Retreat where we each had a big breakfast. We also took showers and did laundry while at Grumpy’s.

After a little while we decided to check out Triple Crown Outfitters which is run by “Yogi”. Yogi is a double triple crowner. That means she has hiked all three of the long trails twice! The first woman to do so. This includes the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail and the Continental Divide Trail.

We got our official PCT bandana and got our picture taken in front of the big sign which promptly went on Yogi’s Facebook page.

After lunch we decided to go back to the general store and get the resupply boxes we had packed months ago and our sons had recently mailed. We then spent most of the afternoon working on our food and discussing our hiking plans.

Ellen also noticed that her left lower leg was swollen again. She made some phone calls and research on google and determined that she likely has cellulitis. Hopefully she’ll be able to get some antibiotics mailed in. In the meantime, elevate and wrap.

We went back to Grumpy’s for dinner and relaxed. Tomorrow is gear repair day. Ellen’s air mattress has a leak, her backpack needs to stitching as does her sleeping bag liner. Jeff’s liner also needs some stitching.
The trail is tough on gear.

Day 65 – People are amazing!
Start: KMS – 703.4
End: KMS – 703.4
Miles: 0.0

Another “zero” day at Kennedy Meadows

Today was again more about relaxing and preparing for the sierras.

We got the 8 am shuttle (mini van) back to Grumpy’s and we all had the 1.5 lb breakfast burrito. Yum! We then walked back to Triple Crown Outfitters for hiking food resupply.

While at Triple Crown Outfitters, Ellen mentioned she needed to get a prescription for the cellulitis in her left leg. She’s been trying to coordinate remotely with the doctors and pharmacies. Yogi suggested to have the prescription transferred to a pharmacy in Ridgecrest. We didn’t realize that Ridgecrest was only 1.5 hours away. Ellen got on the phone and after a while got the prescription transferred. Now she just needed a ride down to Ridgecrest to pick it up.

Instead of Ellen going to Ridgecrest, Yogi made arrangements for “Amazon” to pick up the prescription as she was currently in Ridgecrest. Amazon is a triple crown hiker and employee at the outfitters. Amazon also retrieved the hydration hose that Ellen had left at the hotel during our stay in Ridgecrest.

After breakfast we went back to the general store to repair some gear and make final preparations. Jeff sewed our sleeping bag liners and repaired (we hope) Ellen’s leaky sleeping pad. Ellen worked on the strap of her backpack. We also finalized our food system.

For dinner we again went back to Grumpy’s. They definitely had the better food and options. There is the Grumpy burger: 2 patties w/cheese, bacon avocado, jalapeños, fried egg over easy, lettuce and tomatoes. Yummy!

When we were there Amazon showed up with Ellen’s prescription and hydration hose. We were overwhelmed by her generosity and kindness for hanging out in Ridgecrest for an extra few hours to get Ellen’s prescription. We couldn’t even by her a drink or dinner. She just did it out of the kindness of her heart and believes in good karma.

Once back at the general store we hung out on the patio charging our electronics when a storm came through and provided all of is with a beautiful rainbow. Tomorrow we go into the Sierras!

Here is the next video!