Days 36-41: Ahead of schedule and Kennedy Meadows Here I am

General Trail Thoughts:

“On the days I keep my gratitude above me expectationsThose are good days.” from Mother Blues by Ray Wylie Hubbard

The path has been very lucky for me. Sure there have been hot days, ice storms, long water hauls, ridiculous winds, but here I am, having walked more than 700 miles from the border. I feel very lucky to be here and to have my wife join me. I have met a lot of nice people, both hikers and Trail Angels, and have benefited from a lot of human kindness. I’m glad I’m on the path where my worries are, where’s the next water? Is it real pain or imaginary pain? Are there ants here or can I lie down for a while?

Day 36-38

I was ahead of schedule and got a triple zero. It was supposed to be NERO and ZERO, but I’m walking faster than anticipated.

My lovely wife and happy pup met me in Kernville. Most hikers seem to head to Ridgecrest and while it has more amenities than Lake Isabella and Kernville, it doesn’t have Kern River Brewing! I love the small town of Kernville and on a Memorial Day weekend it was packed with people with the park full of vendors.

We visited «Silverton» in Bodfish. Silverton is kind of like Hiker Town, but the buildings are authentic gold rush era buildings that have been moved to Bodfish.

Surrounding Silverton buildings.

You can tell a hiker is in town by their freshly washed and drying clothes.

After over 650 miles, it was also time to replace my shoes and gaiters. Marnie picked out the new leggings and I love them.

New shoes and leggings.

Salty and his wife, Dirty, who I first met in Hiker Town, showed up in Kernville. It’s always nice to meet other hikers. All too soon it was time to get back on the trail and with a storm brewing I should have left a day early.

Day 39

24 miles or so

From mile marker 652.5 elev 5121

Two mile marker 674 student 6759

Approximate rise 5279 Fall 3376

Campsite: Phillip and Bennet

People I walked with: alone

The climb up the hill was steep and I started later than planned because I didn’t want my better half to get up too early and run into Riverside traffic. Okay, who am I kidding? I needed a good night’s sleep… No, if you know me, that’s not it either.

Day 40

21 miles or so

Two mile marker 674 student 6759

Two mile marker 695 student 5846

Approximate rise 3433 Fall 4354

Camping: a couple more tents.

People I walked with: alone

This leg passed through the Domeland Wilderness and the Chimney Creek Campground.

My morning view to the South.

I met a PCT trail runner, Isaiah, who was driving to a PCT trail junction and running 10-13 miles and then returning to his car. He would then drive to the next intersection and run to the point where he had previously turned. Pretty impressive! He had trail magic and took my trash. It’s a small thing to get rid of food wrappers and bags, but mentally knowing that you’re losing weight is huge. He is in good physical shape and is a good guy.

Isaiah and his Bronco

This day took me to Fox Mill Springs, where there were supposedly traces of uranium in the water. It also had an old mine and processing site that I explored. It seems rubbish, but to me it tells a story. They ground hard rock ore with a ball mill and mined the crushed rock for gold.

The day continued passing other mining remains and had a maximum elevation of around 8000 feet. It was near this elevation that it started to snow. I wanted to make camp at Manter Creek, which was at a lower elevation. I still had 6 miles to go and it took about 2 hours. Soon the snow turned to rain and I continued. Despite my hopes, my gloves did not keep my hands warm when wet. This campground would provide me with water and allow me to hike the 9 miles to Kennedy Meadows.

Day 41

9 miles or so

Two mile marker 695 student 5846

Two mile marker 703 student 6006

Approximate rise 1339 Fall 1010

Camping: Tonight at Kennedy Meadows General Store

People I walked with: alone

Today I started my hike on a very cold morning as I packed my wet gear. My fingers were numb. Snow decorates the surrounding mountains.

Snowy and cold morning.

After 2 hours, I set up all my gear to dry off and eat breakfast.

Drying my equipment and clothes.

I passed 700 miles while walking to KMS and gratefully received the traditional welcome at the Kennedy Meadows store. The people there clap and clap and it’s great. In fact, it is very emotionally uplifting. Pure happiness to have all your teammates cheering, clapping, yelling and screaming.

I spent the afternoon eating, talking, playing cornball, and of course, carb-loading.

I’ll walk anywhere to grab a beer that matches my hat!

Breakfast was eggs, bacon, and very large blueberry or M&M pancakes.

The next step is to enter the Sierras and head to Mount Whitney.

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