PCT Day 59 – Tyndall Creek (775.9) to Kearsarge Lake via Bullfrog Lake Trail.

June 2, 2026

Total PCT miles: 13.7

Non PCT miles: 1.7

Total: 15.4 miles / 24.8 km

Total elevation gain: 3999 ft

Total elevation loss: 4009 ft

Steps: 38009

Today was the day we climbed Forester Pass, the highest point on the PCT at 13120 ft. It’s early season in the Sierra which means there is still plenty of snow on the approach and even more on the backside of the pass. This is why I have been carrying an ice axe (that I hope not to need) and microspikes (which I will definitely require).

The best strategy for any snow covered pass is to summit early. This provides firm snow for microspikes and prevents postholing. Ultimately it makes for a much more pleasant and less energy sucking journey. I was up at 0400 after a not so great sleep and our group set off at 0500 for the 4.7 mile, 2000 ft accent. The almost full moon providing more than enough light to guide our way and paint the surrounding mountains in a pale peaceful wash.

The first 1000 ft was a very gentle accent occasionally walking across patches of snow and ice As the view of the switch backs and saddle came into view. Behind us the alpine glow of the rising sun started to illuminate the mountains we had hiked passed yesterday. The switch backs up to the the saddle and the remaining 1000 ft of elevation were 50% snow covered and 50% bare requiring microspikes for safety.

Now at over 12000 ft breathing became more and more laboirious and my steps became shorter and shorter as I slowly approached the sketchiest part of the journey. Forester Pass is known for its ice chute that in the early season covers about 20 meters of trail. One fall here and you’ll skid down the ice a few hundred feet before hitting rocks. This is why I have been carrying an ice axe. To help me cross safely or self arrest before hitting the rocks should I fall. The conditions today didn’t really require me to use the ice axe, I could have probably crossed just as safely with only my trekking poles but I had the axe so I used it anyways crossing without much hesitation. A final switch back and there I was on top of Forester Pass the highest part of the PCT. Behind me Seqoia National Park and before me Kings Canyon National Park. It’s all “downhill from here all the way to Canada”.

The mountains and Kings Canyon before me were absolutely breath taking. The trail gently decends into the canyon below. The first few miles all covered in snow. Thankfully we had reached the pass at 0745 and the sun had yet to really soften the snow so no postholing was to be had. There were good boot tracks to follow including some going the wrong way. The maping feature on my watch was very helpful in ensuring i remained on trail.

As I decended into the canyon the temperature increased and my breathing was much improved. The most challenging part was watching my step instead of the scenery around. We stopped a few times to eat, rest or just admire the views. On one of these breaks I noticed that my hip belt on my pack is holding on by a thread. Hopefully it makes it until I can replace it in town.

From the bottom of the canyon starts a real steep climb up to the Bullfrog lake trail. On the way we met a hiker who had left Kennedy Meadows two days earlier and hiked through the entirety of the winter storm. His story was wild and I’m glad that we had waited out the worst of it.

Tomorrow we are going into the town Bishop for some much needed real food, rest, resupply and showers. Apparently there is an amazing deli in town and I have been fantasizing over the sandwich I will destroy when I get there. We have a ride scheduled to pick us up at the trail head at 10:30 so we decided to take the Bullfrog lake trail and camp at Kearsarge Lake. This has to be the most beautiful place I have ever had the pleasure of setting up my tent. We arrived at 1530 and had plenty of time to relax and enjoy the scenery. Later we were joined by two other hikers which made for great conversation about our trials and tribulations over the past few days.