1st June 2015
Mileage 15.3 (24.6km)
Chicken Spring Lake (751) to Whitney Creek (766.3)
It was cold and windy overnight. I woke during the night thinking that somebody was shining a bright light on my tent. It was the almost full moon.
With only a short distance to cover we were eagerly waiting for the sun to rise above the surrounding ranges. When it made an appearance we packed and started on the trail. The morning hiking was stunning. Stunted pine trees against a deep blue sky. Snow capped mountains. Grassy meadows. For most of us this is what hiking the PCT was all about.
At lunch we all stopped at Rock Creek for an extended lunch break. We all soaked our feet in the ice cold water. Curious trout swimming past us occasionally rising to grab a meal of insects. We also snoozed. Life was good for all of us.
We arrived at Whitney Creek by 5pm. Mule Deer were grazing in the grassy meadow. The wind was still and the only sounds came from nearby rapids in the creek, the birds or the fighter jets that flew overhead at irregular intervals.
As the sun set lower in the west the surrounding mountains looked like that had been painted by an artist. We cooked our dinners overlooking the meadow and mountains. It was hard to take our eyes away from the views at camp during the evening.
Next : Day 47 Climbing Mt Whitney (14505 feet)
The Best information about the Pacific Crest Trail:
Complete Guide to the Pacific Crest Trail
Resupply Guide for the PCT
PCT Gear List
PCT Gear Review
I am enjoying the fact that you are consistently taking a photo at 10:00 A.M. its a unique perspective of 24 hours of progress…one step at a time, mate.
Yeah, everyday at 10am. I guess everybody can look back at where they were at 10am everyday and
Your blog was recommended to me by my nephew who hopes to hike the PCT next year. I so appreciate good folks like you who take us on adventures with you through your photos and writings. Being physically impaired may keep me from actually ever being on the PCT yet I get to “know” it because of you. Thank you so much! Your blog is a blessing, and I wish you safe journey. Keep well. God bless.
Thank you for the very kind comments, I’m glad you enjoy the journey
Perfect year for hiking the PCT with the lack of snow. Hope you all make it to the top of Whitney. One of my favorite spots in the world!
Made it to the top, will post about after I’ve eaten some pizza and drank some beer
Wow, just started following this blog yesterday. I was in Big Bear this weekend and on my way home I took CA 58 through Mojave and Tehachapi and knew I was close to the Pacific Crest Trail. Started researching the PCT and stumbled upon your blog. Today is Tuesday June 2, I live in Visalia and I know about where you are. Exciting to be reading this blog and to know you are in the Sequoia National Forest which is in my backyard.
Sequoia has been amazing so far, an amazing backyard. You are very lucky
Patience is a virtue – you have been rewarded by scoring the Sierra in perfect conditions. Pity those that skipped, rushed through, or failed to consider the impact of weather.
Over a two week period, I had cancelled, re-scheduled and cancelled yet again a planned SOBO hike. Finally, with the forecast improving, I jumped on an impromptu Whitney trip. This is what the Sierra look like @ 14.3 from the mountaineers route:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ah1Bu6HJuy0/VW4nLo1YeOI/AAAAAAAABeI/ziGAc6tXE80/s576/steepchute.jpg
Nice. Looks like the weather is closing in again