PCT Day 50-54 – Kennedy Meadows to PCT mile 713.8

May 24-28, 2026

Total PCT miles: 10.4

Non PCT miles: 0.7

Total: 11.1 miles / 17.9 km

Total elevation gain: 2602 ft

Total elevation loss: 741 ft

Steps: 26804

Four Zeros in Kennedy Meadows

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.

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.

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.

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.