Day 71: Reinvigorated
Date: Wed 6/28
PCT Start Mile: 998.3
PCT End Mile: 1016.9
PCT Mileage for Day: 18.6
Total PCT Mileage: 1016.9
The Highlights: Over 1000 Miles, stunning hike to Sonora Pass, and Kennedy Meadows North
When I started waking up around five this morning, all of the mosquitos were waiting, just sitting on the tent like the night before. Damn it. I pulled my pack inside the tent quickly to pack up, and when I finished and vacated the tent, Shawn did the same.
When we started this section of the trail, any time we ran into another hiker, any pleasantries exchanged always included some mention of the mosquitos. Just trying to survive the mosquitos… Just trying not to get eaten alive…etc.
As we hiked this morning the mosquitos were still terrible, but eventually, the further we made our way out of Yosemite, they began to wane a bit. Pleasantries now included things like. Finally mosquito free! This was, of course, wishful thinking, as we still had more mosquitos to contend with, but it put an optimistic spring in our steps. It’s amazing what the glimmer of hope that you’re leaving mosquito land can do.
Stylin’ in my head net.
Not far into our hike (and definitely while there were still mosquitos), we hit the 1000 mile marker! We would have liked to have been more excited about it than we actually were, but with mosquitos all around, we snapped a few pictures and kept trucking. 1000 miles though! I remember when we were excited about 100 miles.
Our hike eventually climbed us out of mosquito valley and up a long climb of mountain switchbacks, making our way over the mountains to eventually descend to Sonora Pass.
This climb was absolutely stunning. Besides having beyond gorgeous views from every angle, there was a good breeze and finally not a single mosquito to be found.
After four days of fairly constant misery, it was just what we needed to reinvigorate our hiking spirits. It reminded us what we love about being out here, after four and a half days of being in a “low”.
After the long switchbacks up the barren rocky mountainside, the hike continued along a ridge, expansive views abound.
After a short lunch break tucked behind some bushes along the top, the trail undulated along the mountainside, climbing up and down along narrow trail and several snow fields. More snow than we’d expected.
The final descent to Sonora Pass also included several snow fields, despite the warm weather, and we slowly descended through trees and wildflowers to the pass, which was the highway. The highway where we would hitch to Kennedy Meadows.
The winding mountain highway did not receive high traffic, so we were happy enough when we got a hitch after about half an hour.
The man, Roger, actually lived about an hour down the valley and came up to the pass when he could to help ferry hikers to Kennedy Meadows, knowing how difficult the hitch could be in that area. Super nice guy. While the ride was only about 8 miles, it took awhile through the winding roads.
Kennedy Meadows north is a resort and pack station with cabins that get booked out a year in advance. They also offer hiker services like package pick up, laundry, and showers, in addition to having a small general store, restaurant, and some lodging options for hikers.
After thanking Roger for the ride, we went around back of the main building to find the hiker crowd. Many familiar faces who we tend to be closer behind than we think – Squirrel, Mowgli, Stallion, Mouse, Sargent, Conflicted, and others.
After chatting for a bit, we got squared away with dorm room beds for the night, which came with showers and laundry – the next things we took care of.
We also retrieved two packages we had sent here with our resupply. One we had sent from Tehatchapi, which seemed like a lifetime ago. We no longer even wanted half the things we had put in this box and it had only been packed less than a month ago. This is the argument for buying as you go and not packing every resupply box before you leave home!
My mom had also sent us a box of goodies, our trail angel from afar, she had sent several treats that we usually only eat at Christmas. These would be yummo on the trail.
There were five beds in our dorm room, and as everyone went through their food supplies, we traded things we had too much of for things we needed. In the end, Shawn and I were set for food and didn’t need to buy anything else from the store.
Very funny, mom. This box was full of food, thankfully.
Kennedy Meadows north also marked the end of our requirement to carry our heavy bear canisters – woot! – so we mailed those home, as well.
Our evening consisted of eating burgers at the small restaurant – a very slow process with many tables and only one waitress – and finishing our laundry, as several of us waited for dryers.
We also had some yummo soft serve ice cream from the general store. It was late (almost 10) when we were finally going to sleep, and I fell into bed exhausted but happy, finally no mosquitos to contend with for a night.
