Kenny Meadows is a vortex but with a pretty valid reason. The small mountain community marks the transition from the desert to the Sierra and timing means everything when entering the mountains. This is even more true when it’s early season.
It’s been one of the lowest snow years on record. But other than a March heat wave, unseasonably cool weather in the Sierra has delayed some of the melting on the high passes. Combine this with a forecasted late snow storm on May 27-28 we decided it was best to wait it out. Well mostly anyway.
Being a small mountain community with very few shopping options Kennedy Meadows is expensive. Its not over priced, but expensive none the less. Camping might be free but food and drinks quickly add up. Or maybe there are drugs in the breakfast juice that makes you stay.
Yes I ate the whole thing. It’s all you can eat pancakes I almost got a second but decided I’d probably regret it.
I spent my first two nights at Grumpy Bears before heading to the General Store for the remaining 3 nights. Both have their advantages and disadvantages but the food at Grumpy Bears was definitely better and faster. Many times we waited well over an hour for our food at the General store.
New ice axe I hope to not need!
I resupplied for the Sierra at Triple Crown Outfitters located beside Grumpy’s. This included an Ice Axe and microspikes and later got a pair of water proof socks from 2Foot Adventures located outside the general store. Between this and food I spent a lot more money than I would have liked.
Jay Go giving an Ice Axe lesson to hikers.
I will say the atmosphere at the General Store was more fun. Being able to cheer in hikers as they came in and lament about when we would leave was a good time. Jokingly we always said tomorrow even when we knew that wasn’t going to happen. There was lots of great conversation and it was nice to relax and just watch Netflix For a while. Finally we decided based on the forecast we would leave on May 28th. There was some snow in that day (tenth on an inch) and it would be nice for the following 7.
Stopping this long has been hard. I really miss home, my family, my dog and my friends. Thruhiking is really disruptive to one’s life and I admire those that have done multiple long distance trails.
May 28
Our group of 6: Ness, Chops, Cry Baby, Yukon, Reroll and myself decided to leave Kennedy Meadows at 0700. We hoped to get 15 miles done before the weather came in. Also this avoided spending more money on Breakfast and drinking more of the juice. As a joke we had a few hikers cheer us out as we left the comfort and safety of the General Store and made our way to the Sierra.
The hike today was a steady incline through mostly pine forest with the Sierra foothills surrounding us. There is water everywhere and because of this the 7 day food carry and extra gear doesn’t feel so bad. My body protested for the first few miles as if it had forgotten this is what we are doing for the next few months.
Slowly and earlier than forecasted the sun was blocked out by clouds. Soon after it started to lightly snow. Out group convened at the next campsite and the decision was made to set up now while everything was dry vs carrying on and getting wet. It was only noon but Am I ever glad we made this call. Soon after the snow was falling with force.
At some point I fell asleep in my tent and was woken up by the sounds of people hitting snow off their tents. A few inches Of snow had fallen in a short period of time. I’m thankful to my freestanding tent today. It can handle a pretty significant snow load so I’m not concerned. I’m also thankful there is no wind. Really, we probably should have waited one or two more days. But we were not alone we were later joined my 6 other hikers at this location and a few more carried on to our original destination.
It’s suppose to be sunny an 12ish degrees tomorrow… let’s hope that forecast is correct so I can dry out my tent and some of this new snow melts. Also I really hope I don’t have to get out of my tent to pee before the snow stops.
Set up at Kenny MedowsWe got a lot more snow than forecasted.
PCT Day 49 – PCT mile 669.9 to Kennedy Meadows mile 703.4
May 23, 2026
Total PCT miles: 15.0
Non PCT miles: 0.7
Total: 15.7 miles / 25.3 km
Total elevation gain: 1470 ft
Total elevation loss: 3310 ft
Steps: 34512
Today is the day I officially say good bye to the desert section of the Pacific Crest Trail and hello to the Sierra section. The small mountain town of Kennedy Meadows South, PCT mile 703.4 has traditionally marked this transition and today I will arrive.
I woke up today feeling a sense of excitement after one of the better sleeps I have had in this journey. Didn’t eat much for breakfast but stuffed my hip belt full of snacks and was on trail shortly after the sun crested the nearby mountain. Although not officially in the Sierra section of the PCT yesterday we had entered its foothills and the transition had been evident. Pine Trees and shrubs grew next to each other and the elevation had started to get higher. Lizards still scurried about and the threat of rattle snakes remained. Actually, Yukon, a guy I have been hiking with was bit in the shoe yesterday by one. Fortunately it was only his shoe and nothing worse.
The hike was mostly downhill for the bulk of the day and I made excellent time reaching the valley below and 10 miles around 0930. Somewhere around here you officially enter Sequoia National Forest but the sign is long gone. I reached the South Fork of the Kern River and the most water I’ve seen in what feels like hundreds of miles. Eventually, in the Sierra, I’ll cross the Middle and North Fork of this river. It had started to get hot and I stopped to filter some water.
700 miles
A short while later I passed the 700 mile marker on the PCT! Only 3.4 miles left to Kennedy Meadows! I was passed by a man with the smallest pack I’ve seen so far on trail. I swear I would have more in a day bag then he had. It takes skill, confidence and honestly a little bit of luck to travel with so little. I was instantly jealous of how much better his back must feel compared to mine.
The trail arrives at Sherman Pass Road where it is a 0.6 mile walk to the Kennedy Meadows General store. It is a tradition that when a hiker arrives here all the other hikes cheer them on for successfully completing the desert section. I won’t lie it was an emotional moment for me and one I won’t soon forget.
There are two places hikers can stay at Kennedy Meadows, the General Store or Grumpy bears. We had decided to stay at Grumpy Bears even though they were having a large Memorial Day weekend party tonight so I retrieved my package from the General Store and waited for the shuttle. My package carefully put together by Mel back home had my bear canister (required for the Sierra), new shoes (thank goodness), some town clothes (sick of wearing rain gear when doing laundry in town), warm hat and mits, new socks and a few pieces of home with personal touches. Without her unwavering support I could not be here. Thank you.
The shuttle to Grumpy Bears was an interesting event. The shuttle never leaves anyone behind space or not. So I and two other people (Cry Baby and Chef) ended up in the trunk of this dodge caravan. The drive is only 3 miles… It was funny at first but then it was uncomfortable and then honestly quite painful. But we all arrived in one piece.
In 49 days of hiking I have:
-Taken 10 zeros (5 due to injury)
-Done one Nero
-Hiked 673.85 miles (PCT and Non PCT)
-Averaged 17.25 miles per day (not including zeros).
-Climbed 123787 ft (as per my watch)
-Taken 1.6 million steps
Here I am 700 miles and the desert section of the PCT completed. It’s been too hot, too cold, too sunny, too dry, too windy but also, in its own way beautiful. I’ve over come injury and embraced the suck more times than I can count. With the exception of some of my experiences at work this is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Spending so much time with nothing other than the contents of my pack has given me appreciation for the little things I take for granted everyday. Along the way I’ve met so many interesting people and been the recipient of so much genuine kindness.
Next up the Sierra and the beauty and adventure it holds.
MmmmmmmNew shoes meet old shoes. These are 1/2 size larger as your feet flatten out when doing a thru hike. Memorial Day party. Thankfully the music was done at 9pm
Good morning from the Pacific Crest Trail! I’m honestly not entirely sure what to write today. It was pretty much just an average day out on the trail. Started the day in the Owen Peak wilderness area at 0600. It was another warm day so I wanted to get the first climb of the day done and over with while it was still cool out.
The 2500 ft climb over a few miles was well graded but I struggled a bit. Just overall felt tired and had a hard time getting the old legs to move as quickly as I’d like. Once at the top I found a shady spot for second breakfast.
I arrived at the first water source for the day in Chimney Creek Wilderness area around noon after a 12 mile water carry. This water was located near a dirt road and there was a cooler with ice and beer! A little bit of trail magic keeps the spirits going. I don’t normally drink beer on trail…. Especially when I have another uphill to do, even less so when it’s hot and sunny. But today I couldn’t resist the temptation! Apparently later on there was a full on trail magic set up here but I left before it was up and going.
I sat in the shade with a group of hikers for almost two hours. Then clouds started to slowly fill the sky and a light breeze picked up! This was perfect timing to hike the next climb up to 8000 ft. The acent was really gradual over 6 miles and thanks to the change in weather I made really good time.
There are 15 miles left until Kennedy Meadows South and the official end of the Desert section of the PCT and the start of the Sierra. I’m hopeful I’ll be able to get some good intel on the weather conditions in town that will help guide my strategy.
PCT Day 45-47 – Double Zero Ridgecrest (653.2) to PCT mile 669.9
May 19-21, 2026
Total PCT miles: 16.7
Non PCT miles: 0.0
Total: 16.7 miles / 26.9 km
Total elevation gain: 3576 ft
Total elevation loss: 3698 ft
Steps: 40042
There isn’t much to do or see in Ridgecrest and every place a hiker might need to go to is like a mile walk minimum. Probably a terrible place to double zero if it were not for the fact the hotel rooms were the most reasonably priced I’ve seen so far on trail. I was staying at the American Inn for 89$ per night and they took care of your laundry.
I had already taken care of my resupply yesterday when I got into town so I had nothing to do but rest and relax. Which was exactly the point of this double zero. Although I probably spent way too much time trying to get intel on the Sierra thus causing myself (hopefully) unnecessary anxiety.
Ness arrived in town around lunch on my first zero and the rest of the group arrived late the following day. It was a good opportunity to catch up and start discussing plans for the Sierra. I ate as much town food as I could. I have no idea how much weight I’ve lost but looking in the full length mirror that was in my room it’s definitely a significant amount. I believe my beard has officially gotten out of control and I have more hair on my head than I’ve had in years. I suppose I’m really starting to embrace this hiker trash thing.
For the first time the number of miles remaining in this hike starts with a 1. From Walker Pass it is 1996.8 miles to Canada! Wild. It’s crazy to think that in under three days I’ll be finally done with the desert section of the PCT and moving on to the Sierra!
May 21 – back on trail
Ness and I along with another hiker “Starship” were picked up by a local trail angle Scott at 0700 to be dropped of at the Walker Pass trail head. It’s about a 30 minute drive from Ridgecrest. Scott is an interesting man who has spent a lot of time in the mountains hiking and climbing. After a short detour as Starship had to drop something off we were at the trail head at 0800. We were met there by another group of hikers that we’ve been following for the past few weeks.
My hike started with some serious shin splits in my left leg. As rested as I was after the last two days I probably should have spent some time stretching. I took some vitamin I and took it slow with many breaks until the pain subsided. That took about 4 miles. The day started with a climb that minus the shin splints I was actually surprised how well I did. A few weeks ago I would have huffed and puffed the whole way and had to take probably more breaks. I can definitely tell my fitness is improving. The landscape was still primarily desert like with views down to the desert valley below including China Lake Naval Warfare Centre. I could hear fighter jets flying all day but never was able to actually see one.
Fortunately there are many more water sources on this segment of the trail vs the last. Soon I won’t be worrying about not enough water but rather their being too much and the raging Sierra rivers we have to cross. It was 11 miles to the first water source and we stopped and had lunch. There was a hiker there who was hiking only in foam sandals. My Achilles ached just thinking about it.
The second climb of the day was made painful by the heat. The temperature rose significantly while we had lunch and it was now 26 C with not a single cloud in the sky. Fortunately there was a slight breeze. I deployed my sun umbrella and took my time. We got to the second water source and decided to call it a day. There are 8 or 9 hikers camped here tonight Which made finding a spot challenging. There are also more bugs at this campsite than I think I’ve seen the rest of the trail. But I know bugs will get worse as I continue north that is guaranteed.
Tomorrow will also have two climbs and is again suppose to be 26 degrees. The good news is that it’s also warm in the Sierra so snow is melting. The bad news is we have to hike in the heat tomorrow.
I woke up this morning tired and sore but no where near as sore and tired as I aught to be after yesterdays lone miles. I had an ambitious goal. Almost 16 miles before 11:00 in order to be on time for the bus that goes from Walkers Pass into Ridgecrest. I had meant to wake up earlier to make this goal less ambitious but here I am. I crammed the last of my bars and snacks into my face or within easy reach while hiking and was on my way at 0545. That’s 5 hours and 15 mins to hike 16 miles (25 kilometers). At least it’s more downhill than uphill.
The sun was rising and I could tell it was a beautiful sunrise by the colors of the sky. It’s really too bad I couldn’t camp where I originally set up last night. But I was eventually rewarded with a great vista of the valley below as the sun was just starting to crest the mountains. Definitely another beautiful sun rise for the books.
I made quick miles through the forest and to a forest road the trail joins for a few miles before I started my decent to Walker Pass. I couldn’t believe it I was likely going to make it. I picked up my pace as I went downhill and the forest once again gave way to bushes and shrubs. When will this desert end!
I passed Walker Pass campsite and was at the bus stop with more than enough time to catch the bus. But as luck would have it the first vehicle to pass by me pulled over and offered me a ride to Ridgecrest. The driver was from Brazil and has just dropped his sister off at the PCT trail head and he was now on his way back to town before going home. Sometimes a little bit of luck goes a long way.
On the way into town we passed a road sign that gives the distances to various cities. It listed San Diego as 224 miles away… I Started laughing almost uncontrollably. Here I’ve walked over 650 miles to get to this point and San Diego was so close. National Scenic Trail for the win.
I was dropped off in Ridgecrest without much of a plan. I had expected to sort out a hotel while on trail yesterday but never got a chance. So I decided to grab some McDonalds and contemplate the next move. I ended up at the American Inn – it was relatively cheap at 89$ per night, had no bad reviews on far out and they do Thru Hikers laundry for them.
I spend the rest of the day doing town chores, relaxing and trying to sort out my plan for the Sierra.
