PCT Day 64 – PCT mile 800.9 to mile 815.0

June 7, 2026

Total PCT miles: 14.1

Non PCT miles: 0

Total: 14.1 miles / 22.7 km

Total elevation gain: 5033 ft

Total elevation loss: 2621 ft

Steps: 38333

I had another decent sleep last night. Falling asleep well before it was dark outside and waking only twice before it was time to get up at 0400hrs. The early morning was due to the 7.4 miles and 3600 ft of elevation gain we had to hike to get to the top of Pinchot Pass.

The day started by crossing a suspension bridge over Woods Creek. This creek is more of a raging torrent of water so I was really glad there was a bridge here. That said we’ve passed a few other raging torrents that don’t have bridges. It makes me wonder what exactly is the criteria for building a bridge in the middle of the Sierra?

Almost immediately after the bridge we started climbing. It was, at least for the most part a gentle climb. We crossed an unnamed stream we had to take our shoes of to walk across. The water was absolutely freezing but at least I got my morning foot bath done early. At around 10500 ft we started to get patches of snow and shortly after we donned out microspikes to traverse a ridge. It took until 10:15 to reach the top of Pinchot.

Going down the other side was easy there were some snowy patches but microspikes were not required. We passed some beautiful unnamed alpine lakes and stopped for lunch.

We descended to just below 10000 ft which was our original camp site plan. However the group decided to make a few more miles and get in a better spot for Mather Pass tomorrow. Also this allowed us to cross the South Fork of the Kings River today. This is a notorious river crossing on the PCT but fortunately due to the low snow year none of the rivers have yet to be particularly bad.

We managed to find a log, island, log, rock jump bridge to avoid getting wet. Well all except “High Stakes” who ended up taking a plung.

We finished out day with a second crossing of the South Fork Kings River that I decided it was best just to cross in my camp shoes. The water was moving fast but only knee high. We are camped now just bellow 11000 ft leaving just over 1000 ft over three miles to Mather tomorrow. This camp site is incredible and I am literally surrounded by mountains on all sides. It seems like every night the campsite we find is better than the night before!

The good news is my hip belt seem to be holding. The bad news is I have come down with a head cold. Hopefully I get a good night sleep and feel better tomorrow.