PCT: CA, Section G (the rest of it) and Section H - Kearsarge Pass to Tuolumne Meadows
Day 58 - 07/03/25 - Kearsarge Pass, Glenn Pass, and Rae Lakes
Distance: 12 miles
Weather: Sunny
End Location: Rae Lakes
Lessons Learned:
Woke up at 6:30 a.m.
Got out of bed around 7 a.m.
Got coffee from the hostel.
Then went to the bakery, got a breakfast sandwich, apricot strudel, and a chocolate croissant.
Ate the sandwich and a banana back at the hostel with other hikers.
Packed up my bag.
Maelyn was driving Tasha and 360 and offered to drive Ellie and me as well.
Left around 9 a.m.
Trailhead at 11:00 a.m.
Ate my pastries, drank a beer.
Maelyn also gave me a Dr. Pepper, the caffeine will help with the pass.
Left around 11:20 a.m.
7.5 miles up and over Kersarge, then a few more miles to Rae Lakes.
Made it to the top at 1:40 p.m.
2 hours for 4.5 miles and 2000 ft elevation gain, nice.
Felt great, the gnocchi carbo-load last night helped for sure.
A lot of people commented on the new coyote tail going up.
It’s a real conversation starter “fur” sure
Met Helios and Whistle.
Chipmunks fought over a granola bag.
Stock passed at the top, 4 mules and one mare.
Mt Clarence king, pyramid by Glen Pass 5.9.
Took the high route.
Bull Frog Lake looked majestic.
Break at the lake at 4 p.m.
Weather moving in.
Left at 4:45 p.m.
Top around 5:20 p.m.
Snow.
Bottom around 7:00 p.m.
Amazing alpine lakes with sheer mountains.
Painted Lady and Fin Peak poked out.
Looked for a spot Alex knew from a previous trip.
It was taken so we walked to the main campground at Rae Lakes.
Set up camp.
Got water.
Made dinner, Buffalo Mac with ranch packet (a little too salty).
Hung out and drank tea that Tea Cup made for everyone.
Washed out the Jet Boil in the lake.
Took a moment and watched the moon light glisten on wind-rippled water.
Went to the tent and watched the rest of the second episode of The Last of Us, I guess I’m getting pretty comfortable out here😂
Went to bed around 10 p.m.
Day 59 - 07/04/2025 - 4th of July Trip and Pinchot Pass
Distance: 15 miles
Weather: Sunny bluebird
End Location: Lake Marjorie
Lessons Learned: There’s a fine line between beauty and death
Woke up at 6:40 a.m.
Breakfast and coffee
Nice camping with a group
Tea Cup gave us all of a little treat at 8:30 a.m.
Left at 8:40 a.m.
Walked past Finn Peak around 9:00 a.m… sharks?
Passed Lake Arrowhead at 9:20 a.m.
Stopped in a meadow to change into shorts, a hiker I’ve met before, Mack, passed by, she was trying to swim in each lake marked with a duck.
She was getting her ducks in a row
“Not a bad spot to take off your pants,” I said😂
Passed Dollar Lake at 10 a.m.
Switched to my “closer” playlist, light vibes edm
Then switch to Grateful Dead songs
Then Brother Bear album, went crazy
Saw Alex running across the suspension bridge around noon
Crossed the suspension bridge and put my pack down
Ran back across the bridge, cracking up, it felt so weird, almost like a trampoline
Took break for 2nd breakfast
Ellie, Tea Cup, and Yaya joined
I ate a Cliff Bar, and some granola
Bugs and Gamji joined as well and partook in our antics and wordplay
Gamji had a nice array of cheeses including an aged smoked Gouda
“All I have is parmasheen”
“Farmer John’s Parmesan” 😂
Left at 1 p.m.
Tune in, Smurf out
After less than a mile, I saw Tea Cup and Yaya at a swimming hole along a gushing river at 1:30 p.m.
We didn’t make it very far😂
I stripped and slid in, the water was cold and refreshing
We decided to stay there for lunch
Ellie and Alex joined
Ellie got caught in the current and almost went down the waterfall
Tea Cup gave her a hand, everything was okay
There’s a fine line between beauty and death (lesson learned)
Ellie looked like she could use a hug, so I gave her one.
We sat silently and thought about what could’ve happened.
On considering going in a second time, I shared one of my favorite quotes with Tea Cup:
“A man cannot enter the same river twice, for he is not the same man and it is not the same river” - Euraclytes
When we were packing up to leave, one of Tea Cup and Yaya’s Smart water bottles fell down and got pulled into the current.
We tried saving it, but it ended up going down the waterfall.
Interesting to see what Ellie’s path might’ve been.
Tea Cup ran down the hill and actually saved it at a dammed section, incredible save.
We left at 2:40 p.m.
8 miles to Marjorie Lake.
Continued along the river.
Beautiful patch of purple lupine with corresponding lavender butterflies.
Young quaking aspens glimmered as I treaded along the tributaries.
The hiking was difficult and straight up.
Crossed snow.
Finally saw Pinchot Pass and my future path at 5:15 p.m.
1 more mile to go with 1,000 ft elevation gained.
Ate chips right before the pass at a nice alpine bog.
Heard croaking, so tried to go find the infamous toads that inhabit the area.
The croaking went away, scared I might’ve accidentally stepped on it, but more likely he just hid away.
Wrote a poem:
A precariously perched rock
propped up by another
stone,
alone no more,
Forever
they will sit
Together.
(At least until
The wind
Or rain
Or snow
Moves them to
Some other
place)
Made it to the top at 6:15 p.m.
Gamji and Bugs up there.
*Found out their real names are Josh and Sydnie, and she goes by Syd… great 😅
And new friend Lee (JMT).
Took shots of fireball.
Lee gave us some Jameson.
Alex then Ellie then Tea Cup and Yaya made it up as well.
Tea Cup made tea and we all enjoyed the top of the pass (12,127 ft)until we got too cold when the wind started to get stronger.
Left around 7 p.m.
Made it to Marjorie Lake around 7:40 p.m.
Lee was there and Alex and Ellie were scoping out a spot.
We decided to cowboy camp.
Set up down a bit closer to the lake.
Talked about other near-death experiences.
Ellie - almost a hit by a bus as 5 years old
Alex - almost drowned when he was young and didn’t know how to swim
Lee - hit by a truck
Tea Cup and Yaya joined
Ate dinner, salmon, wild mushroom couscous with lentils - delicious might be a new fav but might do a chicken packet instead next time
All talked about our favorite parts of the day and what revelations we had
Drank whiskey and had a smoke
Went to be around 10:45pm
Happy birthday merica 😌🇺🇸
Day 60 - 7/5/2025 - Mather Pass
Distance: 15 miles
Weather: Sunny
End Location: Glacial Creek
Lessons Learned: Everyone has off days.
Woke up at 6:40 a.m.
Breakfast in bed
2 Honeybuns and heated-up coffee, a rare treat - made enough for 3 cups and gave Alex and Ellie some.
Took an early morning swim in Lake Marjorie.
Dove off rocks into the cold water, majestic.
Left at 8:40 a.m.
7.5 miles to Mather Pass.
“A pass a day keeps the doctor away.”
Passed a few hikers, another compliment on the tail.😂
Also named it yesterday: “Leonard Skynyrd the Coyote Tail.”
Leonard pulls, a few girl hikers asked to pet it.😂
Started an audiobook of John Muir’s “My First Summer in the Sierra” - felt fitting.
I like the way he writes, but not knowing the scientific names of the plants inhibits the visual imagination of his surroundings.
Stopped after 2.5 miles at a creek.
Ate some granola and chips and filled up my water bottle.
Felt rather hungry this morning, think I drank too much coffee.
Wet shirt and buff.
5 miles and 2000 ft elevation gain to the top of Mather Pass.
Switched back to music for the uphill.
“True to Myself” by Ziggy Marley played.
Mosquitos motivated me to hike faster.
Walked along the beautiful South Fork King’s River.
Gradual incline, better than the steepness of yesterday’s climb.
Reached the bottom of the pass around 12:30 p.m.
Ellie and Alex were having lunch at an alpine lake, joined them.
Prepared lentils at lunch for dinner (cold soak in a Nalgene).
Sang a parody of “Sunglasses at Night” to describe cold soaking my lentils at lunch. 😂
Left at 1:40 p.m.
Reached the top of Mather Pass at 2:15 p.m.
Always blows me away how little time it takes to reach the top, always seems so daunting.
Felt lethargic and annoyed going down the pass.
Loose rocks would slip out from under my shoes.
It annoyed me even more that I could be annoyed in such a beautiful place.
I was literally in a kind of paradise, or a sort of Garden of Eden, and I was in a bad mood.
Passed Palisade Lake around 4 p.m.
Took a swim with Ellie and Alex.
Started to feel better.
Left at 5:40 p.m.
Hiked down “The Golden Staircase.”
Can’t imagine going up that.
Steep granite steps glowing in the setting sun’s light.
Finally back on the dirt trail around 7 p.m.
Stopped after another mile or so around 7:40 p.m. because my left Achilles was hurting.
All those steps got to me, so I just grabbed the first good, open tent site with access to water.
Ate dinner by the river during dusk - instant sweet potato with lentils and chicken, pretty damn good.
But used too many lentils (5 scoops), was stuffed.
First time on the trail not fully finishing my meal, think 3 scoops would’ve sufficed.
Watched an episode of The Last of Us.
Felt good to be alone again.
Responded to Ellie on the Garmin that I was okay, just tired and didn’t want to hike to where they were camped.
Went to bed at 9:50 p.m.
Day 61 - 07/06/2025 - Muir Pass
Distance: 16 miles
Weather: Sunny, bluebird
End Location: Wanda Lake
Lessons Learned: Coffee before pass goes crazy
Woke up at 6:40 a.m.
Lazy morning, ate breakfast and coffee in the tent.
Let the sun hit the tent and dry it out a bit (it’s been wet with condensation the past few days).
Saw Yaya and Tea Cup pass on the trail, they camped just a mile before me.
Did light yoga and rolled out with a cork ball.
Washed off in the river, wet buff and shirt.
Left at 8:40 a.m.
Big day today, 14 miles to the top of Muir Pass with 10 miles involving a steep elevation gain and my left Achilles was still sore.
The first 4 miles were a nice decline though.
Started with music, my “chicken parm” playlist.
Saw a deer grazing in Deer Meadow, fitting.
Lots of wildflowers along the River: violet meadow daisies, purple lupine, yellow dandelions, and Indian paintbrush (slight orange here).
Tall pine trees scattered the hillsides.
A hummingbird hovered right next to me as I changed a setting on my Garmin.
Feeling a lot less frantic today.
Maybe attributed to good sleep or just the peace of hiking alone again.
It requires less thought hiking alone.
Upholding only your own expectations, especially when you have none (or very little), is easier.
You can also stop and enjoy whatever spots you want without feeling bad that the people you’re hiking with might be waiting on you.
Stopped and ate a Cliff Bar while I watched the mountains wake up.
Beautifully large and old ponderosas with trunks three to four times the size of my body.
When I see a particularly large and old tree, I usually get an inclination to touch or hug it, in order to learn its wisdom.
Break at 10:15 a.m., changed into shorts while watching the Middle Fork Kings River merge with the cascading Palisade Creek in Le Coyote Canyon.
Dunked shirt while 2 deer watched puzzled.
Ate a honey bun.
Starting the climb now, 10.5 miles and 4000ft elevation gain to the top of the pass.
Left at 10:25 a.m.
Waterfall.
Mushroom, likely a yellow staining brittle gill (not edible).
Passed Grouse Meadow.
The waterfalls and turquoise water of the Middle Fork River tempted me to swim.
Decided that I’d hike another hour before a swim at lunch.
Tasted some yarrow (high in vitamin C and ubiquitous).
Harvested some wild onions.
Wrote a poem:
“A particular
Lenticular
Cloud
Shroud
High above the peaks
Cried for weeks
For he was
Lonely”
Stopped around 1:15 p.m. at a spot along the river.
Washed off body and clothes, water was cold.
Washed off wild onions in hat.
Ate lunch.
Spicy Thai Tuna with wild onions stems and its purple flowers for a garnish.
Delicious, need to do more often.
Saw 360.
Saw Bridget, she sat and had a quick lunch with me.
Saw Tasha.
Left at 3:15 p.m.
5 miles to the top of Muir Pass.
Dramatic waterfalls along exposed switchbacks carved in granite cliff sides with complimenting flowers.
Blueberry bush blossoms, can’t wait for the berries to fruit.
Passed a majestic high alpine meadow.
Put on my Floozies inspired playlist for more upbeat motivation.
“Basically” by STFKR, would be a great song for a PCT video.
Passed “Kings Wild and Scenic River.”
Looked more like a lake to me.
Tricky hiking, snow, and trail navigation.
Helen Lake around 5:30 p.m., breathtaking views of the large lake.
Took a break and took vitamins.
Met Aussies Worm and Firebomb, got a pic for them, and had them take one of me.
This pass and valley is incredible. I see why it is named after John Muir.
Tall peaks blanketed with snow below and along the ridges.
Miley Cyrus’s “The Climb” from her live album played as I crossed a snow field and set eyes on the famous Muir Summit Hut, timed it perfectly around 6:15 p.m.
At the top of the pass, I realized one of the Aussies was a girl I started with on 5/7, Kenzie.
I hadn’t seen her since Mt. Laguna. Weird how I was starting to run into everyone I started with now.😂
Bridget had the idea to eat dinner up there, so I joined her.
The stone hut was very cool.
I had ramen (with lentils and chicken), which felt fitting.
Made me feel like I was climbing Mt. Fuji or something.😂
360 joined and had mac and cheese.
Bridget gave me some peanut M&Ms, bless.
Tasha joined us as we finished our meals.
Then we all hiked down to Wanda Lake.
Witnessed a “peak-lipse”, the sun set behind a mountain peak in the distance.
I broke off and found a cowboy camp spot in a little canyon with wind protection.
With 4 people all setting up tents, I figured it might be easier and harm the high alpine meadow less this way.
Got some great pictures.
Made some chai tea.
Saw a shooting star as I lay in bed and made a wish.
With the wind blowing on the snow-capped peak, I could tell it was going to be a cold night.
Put on my gloves and went to bed around 10:00 p.m.
Day 62 - 07/07/25 - to Muir Trail Ranch
Distance: 22.5 miles
Weather: Sunny, bluebird
End Location: tent site at mile 863.7 (just past the creek)
Lessons Learned: Sometimes making a mistake isn’t always a bad thing.
Woke up at 5:15 a.m. by an eager rodent yelping, excited to see the light.
Hot coffee and honeybun in bed (I prepped the night before).
Packed up.
A critter nibbled on my new toesocks during the night and made holes in the top of the left sock.
Still usable but annoying because I just got them.😂
Like all great criminals, he left his calling card: a few drops of poop on my shorts, likely from a mouse by the size of the scat.
Left early around 6:15 a.m.
Thankfully, there was no pass to go over today, just 20 miles of downhill, thank god
It was bitter cold out, so I started in pants, fleece, and jacket.
Once the sun hit me in Evolution Basin, I delayered
Passed Mount Huxley (~13,000ft) then Mount Spence (~12,500ft).
Sapphire Lake was incredible.
The high trail above the lake was outlined by pink blossoms
Saw and chatted with Tea Cup and Yaya, who camped down by the lake.
I looked at
Mount Spence across Evolution Lake
Down looked incredible
Made mistake on a creek crossing and got my shoes wet.
“Fuck,” I shouted to myself, falling off a wobbly rock and submerging both of my feet to catch myself
Felt stupid for taking a bad path
Saw a common yellow throatbird with breakfast in its beak.
Bella passed on the left-hand side as I was putting on my windbreaker to defend against the morning mosquitoes
Ate last honey bun.
Hiked 2 more miles and was forced to take a break due to wet feet.
Pulled into a campsite around 11 a.m. and found a beautiful sunny spot in a meadow.
Ate a tortilla with granola and Thai peanut sauce (in place of peanut butter) and a beef stick.
Also prepared lunch: cold soaked lentils and an extra ramen I had.
Laid shoes and socks out to dry.
Waded, laid in the river, and washed off.
Refreshing.
Wet shirt and buff.
Changed into shorts.
Back to the mat. The view of the alpine I had just descended was immaculate.
Small yellow and purple flowers scattered across the lush green grass of the meadow.
I relaxed and massaged my muscles.
Stumbling upon such a beautiful meadow, sometimes making a mistake isn’t always a bad thing (lesson learned).
Left at 12 p.m., will hike 4 or 5 more miles and have a quick lunch.
Saw Warm and Firebomb as I was leaving the meadow
Passed McClure Ranger station.
Found a beautiful orange amanita muscaria, took the cap to sun dry later.
Crossed the river, took my shoes off and put on sandals.
Stopped shortly after the river due to the beauty of a gushing waterfall along Evolution Creek.
Had lunch: tuna tortilla and half of my cold soak ramen. Will eat the rest when I walk.
Reached the bottom of Evolution Basin switchbacks around 2:30 p.m.
Trying to make it to Muir Trail Ranch before 5 p.m. for the hiker box. It was going to be close.
Crossed the bridge over the South Fork San Joaquin River.
Filled up my water bottle.
Felt like I was walking along the Hoh River again.
Bumped into Bella.
I was conflicted about making it to Muir Trail Ranch in time and talked options with her.
Decided to send it and veered off on the side trail.
Got there at 5:15 p.m. Everything was put away 🥲
But was still able to charge my power bank.
Checked out the surrounding camps and ate a chicken packet.
They had a Muir Laws Field Guide, so I read that and answered some of my questions regarding plant identification while I powered up.
Decided to hike a few more miles instead of camping near Muir Trail Ranch.
Steep climb out resumed the PCT around 6:45 p.m.
Reached the top of switchbacks around 8 p.m.
Passed a tentsite, but the views weren’t great.
Passed a creek, grabbed 4L for dry camping.
Walked a bit further and found a nice spot with a great view of the sunset and mountains.
Changed into pants; mosquitoes were horrendous.
Yaya and Tea Cup walked past, gifted me an oatmeal, bless 🙏🏼
I had told them that’s what I was hoping to get from Muir Trail Ranch.
Set up camp and ate dinner.
Watched the moon rise over another peak; never gets old.
Went to bed around 10 p.m.
Day 63 - 07/08/2025 - to Vermillion Valley Resort (VVR)
Distance: 17 miles
Weather: Sunny
End Location: Vermillion Valley Resort
Lessons Learned:
Woke up at 5:50 a.m.
Today marks 2 months on the trail.
Overnight oats soaked in coffee and collagen for breakfast.
Left at 7:15 a.m.
3 miles to the pass.
The morning light was spectacular.
Glad I did the majority of uphill yesterday; it’s always nice to start easy.
Passed Sally Keyes Lake at 7:45am, pretty lake; it would’ve been a good spot to camp.
“Ripple in still water.”
I liked the upper lake better; it’s more peaceful.
Climbed up the pass.
Took a multivitamin.
Almost threw up from the said multivitamin on a semi-empty stomach.
Passed Heart Lake around 8:20 a.m. and had 300ft of elevation gain left, cake
Kind of looks like a heart.
Never mind; now I see it.😂
Top of the pass at 8:49 a.m.
Although this was the least difficult pass, I’d venture to say none are easy.
Was going to make coffee at the top, but the mosquitoes were bad.
Just ate a protein bar and made cold coffee to go.
A PCT hiker named Sunrise (Portland, OR) informed me that there’s a shuttle from Bear Trail Creek Trailhead at 6:15 p.m.
There’s also a ferry that can take you to VVR at 3:45 p.m.
Passed a beautiful alpine lake, Lake Marie, on the descent.
Decided I would pass on the shuttle and ferry and just walk into VVR so I wouldn’t have to rush like yesterday and miss out on the beauty in front of me.
No longer being in a rush, I gave into the beauty and cold water temptations of Lake Marie and pulled over for a swim.
Filled up my water and set up a filter (for passive income) and stripped.
It felt nice walking on the grass barefoot.
The water was oddly warmer than the air.
But when I got out, the wind blew coldly.
I chilled on my mat in the sun and played harmonica and sang a song:
“Oh, the Sierra don’t need no music,
But I guess I’ll play along.
The lakes and the mountains and beauty,
Oh, I wish I could stay long.
But 3 weeks, such a short stint,
It almost feels wrong.
Oh, the Sierra don’t need no music,
But I guess I’ll walk along.
Oh, Sierra, high Sierra,
How are you?
Oh, Sierra, high Sierra,
How are you?”
Felt at peace.
Saw the Aussies as I was packing to leave around 10:45 a.m.
Put on my “Young the Giant” playlist.
Crossed Bear Creak and followed it down.
Need to get a shirt that the mosquitoes can’t get through; my shoulders are taking a beating 🥲
Maybe a Jolly Gear; they have awesome designs.
Caught a familiar couple having a tender moment by a cascade in Bear Creek; moved silently as not to disturb.
Love (and mosquitoes) is in the air 😌
Tons of more cascades along Bear Creek, beautiful scenery for the hike.
Stopped around 1 p.m. at a cascade with a little swimming section; you already know what’s about to happen😂
Set up for relaxation, filled up water, swam, and then ate lunch - made ramen.
Ate a beef stick in a tortilla.
Will eat tuna wrap later.
Left oasis at 2:15 p.m.
3.5 miles to Bear Ridge Junction.
Idea: beef stick with peanut butter and tortilla - rolled up - imagined it would be like a pig in a blanket.
Reach the top of Bear Ridge around 3:45 p.m.
Took a left turn for VVR, just 7 more miles😂
Bear Ridge is aptly named.
Old-growth forest with carpeted floors of wildflowers, ferns, shrubs, and mushrooms - perfect for a bear.
Saw the lake and resort from 3 miles out around 5:30 p.m.
Could smell whatever was cooking for dinner at the trailhead.
Made it to the trailhead at 5:50 p.m.
Tasha, Sunrise, and Jacob (“Bandit”) were waiting there for the 6:15 p.m. shuttle.
Not that long until the shuttle; I figured I could wait and catch up with Bandit; the last place I saw him was Idyllwild.
Apparently he’s been dealing with some Altra-induced injuries but switched up his shoes to Hokas and feels better
His better half had to go to Bishop through Bishop Pass on account of her knee
Around 6:30pm we started to get the feeling the shuttle wasn’t aware it was supposed to come
So we walked the 2.5 miles which wasn’t terrible (at least since I was expecting to walk that anyways)
Saw a mama bear and two cubs, one of which tried to climb up a hundred ft tall ponderosa, not sure where he was going with that
Made it to VVR around 7:15pm, 15 mins before dinner ended - Tea Cup, Yaya, Ellie, Alex, Gabe and Bella cheered us in
Ordered dinner, chicken fried rice, and hung with the homies
Tea Cup gave me a s’more which I sandwiched with a newly bought honeybun
They called it a “Smurf Burger” 😂
When my name was called, I grabbed my food and smothered it with hot sauce, ketchup, salt, and pepper - making my own siracha
Gave some of my meal to Sunrise, she walked slower and had just missed the cutoff for dinner
Scarfed down food while next to the bonfire
We drank beer and wine and all hung out
The mosquitoes weren’t bad here, maybe due to the fire or just general dryness
I was tired so retreated to my tent
I turned 26 after while watching an episode of “the last of us” while eating a honeybun in my tent
Day 64 - 07/09/2025 - Trail Birthday and Hot Spring Trip
Distance: 5 miles
Weather: Sunny, hot
End Location: VVR
Lessons Learned: sometimes less is more
Woke up around 6 a.m.
Got in the long line for breakfast
Ordered the Lumberjack Breakfast (2 pancakes, ham, sausage, bacon, eggs, and hash browns)
Ate with friends at breakfast
Stuck a makeshift candle in my pancake as they sang “Happy Birthday” 🥹
Bella also commissioned the group to sign a birthday card for me
She had them included their own yogi wisdom quotes, so thoughtful and kind
Yaya: “you’re always just looking for a good lunch spot”
So true😂
Hung around the fire in the morning as it warmed up
Drank a breakfast beer
Chatted with JMT hikers
Ellie, Alex, Tea Cup, Yaya, Trail Spice, and I decided to go to the Mono Hot Springs (6-mile hike)
Got a hitch to the end of the dam from the owner of VVR
Tea Cup and Yaya got hitched and waved to us as they drove past
Thought we would easily get another hitch, but we didn’t and ended up hiking the rest of the 5 miles along the road😅
Upon arrival, we raided the store and I got a 6-pack of a hazy beer, a chicken burrito, and chips
Trail Spice led us to the hot springs (he was there yesterday so knew the lay of the land)
Crossed logs to reach Old Pedro Hot Spring and put our semi-empty packs down
We walked up to a more secluded hot spring and rubbed the healing mud on our skin
Then alternated between the cold river and the hot spring
There was a jumping rock and a section of the river where you could float under a log, acting like a sort of water slide
Did that twice and chilled
Shared a little treat with Ellie and Alex
Left around 5 p.m. and waited outside of the Mono Creek Hot Springs sign for a hitch
A few cars passed but no one
Ellie ended up chatting with a few car campers and they decided to give us a ride
Got back to Vermillion Valley Resort at 6:30 p.m.
Ordered dinner, that night was steak and shrimp with Brussels sprouts and potatoes, amazing
The guy that gave us a ride, Connor (LA), joined us - he’s a music teacher so on summer break and has been going to this area ever since he was a little kid
I drank wine and ate my birthday meal with Ellie, Alex, Trail Spice, and Tea Cup
The crowd by the bonfire was playing some heavy grunge rock music that I didn’t fit my vibe so after I finished I left to find some peace and quiet
I walked down to the lake and watched the sunset cast beautiful orange and red over the lake and peaks.
The smoke from the nearby campfires drifted across the lake.
I skipped stones across the still water and watched the ripples explode with orange glimmer.
I realized that I would’ve been just as content staying at this beach all day instead of going to the hot springs
While I was glad I went, it wasn’t the most relaxing endeavor 😂
Sometimes less is more (lesson learned)
And it’s more about the people your with anyways
A fellow PCT hiker, Michelle, came down to the lake to submerge her sleeping pad in order to find a leak.
We chatted; she works full time as a trail repairer.
I challenged her to a stone skipping competition - 2 stones each.
As we watched the full moon rise over the trees, we discussed that it can only really be full for a moment in time, depending on where the viewer is.
Each full moment is unique to the perspective of the viewer.
When it got dark, we went back up to the main area.
She left to shower and I joined the campfire.
The grunge music was gone and replaced by a talented JMT hiker playing acoustic guitar, a much better vibe.
He played Weezer, Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and a few country songs.
We all drank and sang along.
Went to bed around midnight, a lovely birthday.
Day 65 - 07/10/25 - leaving VVR and Silver Pass
Distance: 15 miles
Weather: Sunny
End Location: Purple Lake
Lessons Learned: Don’t rush
Woke up around 7 a.m.
Packed up partially
Went and got breakfast and coffee for motivation
Breakfast burrito with a side of French toast, yum
Switched my 9 a.m. ferry spot with Tea Cup and signed up for the 10:30 a.m. one
Don’t rush (lesson learned)
Very peaceful after switching, no longer in a hurry
Talked with new hiker Scales, reminded me of my buddy Rafe
Chatted with Michelle
Chatted with Kevin “Skunk”, we started the same day on the 7th of May but haven’t seen him since day 1 basically
It’s great seeing all these other hikers again
The 10:30 a.m. ferry, on mountain time, left closer to 11 a.m.
Started hiking at 11:15 a.m.
The plan was to hike as much as I could, in order to get to Red’s Meadow tomorrow for lunch
It was 7 miles to the top of Silver Pass
Back on PCT around 11:45 a.m.
2000 ft climb
Passed a girl hiking the JMT and stopping at Vermillion Valley Resort, told her to be careful with the tab
As she was walking away I shouted, “Just remember, you’re one in Vermillion” 😂
At the fire the night before, we had joked that we would VVR this slogan instead of paying our tabs
But ultimately paid our tabs… we wondered if anyone skipped out on it
Got feet wet crossing a creek, gotta be more careful 😅
But guess that means a long swim break at Alpine Lake after the pass?🤔
Thought about the conversation with Michelle last night about the full moon
It can only really be full for one moment in time (depending on where the viewer is)
Could call this a full moonment?
Besides that one moment where it’s completely full, it’s either waning or waxing.
Is love like this? Complete for a second, then either growing or shrinking?
Or always full but not quite showing the whole time?
Passed Silver Pass Lake.
Reached the top of Silver Pass around 2:30 p.m.
A marmot and the gang (Alex, Ellie, Tea Cup, Yaya, Bella, Gabe) was up there to greet me.
Went swimming in Lake Nüümü Hu Hupi and chilled with the gang.
I left last around 4:30 p.m.
Wanted to hike at least 6 more miles.
Saw Yaya and Tea Cup stopped having a chip break.
Put on my pants to protect against mosquitoes and joined them in their chip break.
Had to take shoes off to cross a flooded section.
Hiked down to Purple Lake with them and the rest of the gang was there.
It was nice chatting and hiking with people instead of just listening to nature or whatever was on in my headphones.
Set up camp, filled up water, and ate dinner, ramen with chicken.
Went to bed around 10:30 p.m.
Day 66 - 07/11/25 - to Mammoth
Distance: 13 miles
Weather: Sunny, hot
End Location: Mammoth Lake
Lessons Learned:
Woke up at 6:30 a.m.
Cinnamon roll and alpine mocha in bed
Packed up
Left at 7:45 a.m.
13 miles to Red’s Meadow and shuttle to Mammoth Lakes
“I can pay my tab with the gift of gab” - Matt Duncan, “The Keys”
Hoped I’d be able to pay my tab that way in Mammoth
The valleys below are starting to look more like Yosemite, with steep granite cliffs on each side
Tons of black flies, couldn’t really stop without getting bit
They are smarter and more annoying than mosquitoes
Crossed a creek around 11:20 a.m.
Caught up with Yaya, Tea Cup, and Kevin
5 miles until Red’s Meadow
Took about 2 hours, all downhill easy hiking
Pretty boring but easy hiking
Blue spruces
Passed fields of purple lupine and ferns
Sand and pine trees
Made it to Red’s Meadow around 1:15 p.m.
Got a Dr Pepper and root beer
Ordered a double cheeseburger and vanilla malt milkshake
Tea Cup and Yaya joined shortly after, and ordered food
After we were done eating, we took the bus from Red’s Meadow to Mammoth Lakes
The bus ride was $15, and we were all out of cash
“We have some hikers here that have no money, can anyone help them out?” The bus driver asked the passengers
A few passengers stepped up, and we Venmo’d them
We had to stand in the aisle with our backpacks for the 40-minute wobbly bus ride
After eating all that food, I started to get queasy, and so did Tea Cup as we tried to balance through the winding roads
We made it through the bus ride without returning our meals to the passengers
Grabbed a beer at the upper village while we figured out our next bus connection.
After the Bike Park Bus, we walked to the Airbnb.
I split up so I could stop in a gas station and grab some beers, ending up beating them to the Airbnb since they went to the store.
Alex was there.
I cracked open a beer and then showered.
After showering, chilled, and did laundry, everyone else filed in periodically.
Tea Cup got ingredients to make beef stew for fam dinner, so clutch.
Hung out while Tea Cup prepared dinner.
Ate dinner, beef stew, salad with avocado, and cheesy garlic bread Bella got from the bakery, amazing.
After dinner, we walked to the village to catch the end of night 1 of jazz fest.
Got there with 20 mins left and grabbed drinks.
The band brought out a congo player for the last few songs.
After the encore, got a funnel cake and Korean corn dog, scarfed it down.
Then went to Liberty Bar for more live music and drinks, also coincidentally on our route home to the Airbnb.
The band had a lead trumpet and jammed, honestly liked it better than the jazz.
Had a few Moscow Mules, shots, and an usher bomb - was cooked 😂
Ended up hanging with a group of motorcyclists - a dad, his 2 sons, and their friends.
Riffed and cracked jokes, hilarious time.
I asked if they had a side car I could hop and joked that I could join them on their way to Yosemite in the morning.
Walked back to Airbnb and watched 22nd Jump Street.
Jesus died for out Cynthia’s.
Deep talks with Alex outside.
Passed out late.
Day 67 - 7/12/25 - Zero Day in Mammoth Lakes
Woke up around 8 a.m.
Little sleep last night.
Definitely not riding in the side car with the motorcyclists to Yosemite, in too fragile a state for that.
Tea Cup made eggs and Yaya made toast and coffee, shared with the group.
Checked out of Airbnb at 10 a.m.
Walked to Mammoth Lake Brewery, got bang bang shrimp and 2 beers, delish.
Walked to the park and took a nap, we had 4 hours until check-in at our new Airbnb.
Woke up from a 3-hour nap, walked over to the Village and got a cold brew coffee and 2 slices of pizza.
Didn’t feel like doing resupply in my current state.
Walked back to the park and grabbed my bag and walked 20 mins to the Airbnb at the top of the village.
Got sorted out.
Went in the hot tub even though it was hot, nice to relax.
Then we went to the sauna.
While the sauna warmed up, we played pool and took turns playing the piano.
Alex and I did a little body weight workout circuit to help facilitate the warming process of the sauna.
We did pushups, an ab workout, and squats.
Felt good to sweat out the night before.
Went back and showered.
Everyone left for night 2 of the jazz fest separately.
Bella and I took the trolley together.
Got a nice pic of her on the trolley.
Went to a tequila bar and got some tasty food: sugarcane shrimp, plantains, and churros.
Also got a horchata drink and a margarita.
After we left, I listened to a bit of jazz and hit the general store with 15 minutes left until close.
Resupplied, no tuna or chicken packets so got a pound of sausage 😅
No honeybuns either so got cookies for breakfast.
Walked with Tea Cup and carried my grocery bags to the Tiki Bar, where they had a DJ around 10 p.m.
Hid my grocery bags behind a sign in the entrance.
Got a Banana Hammock frozen drink and danced.
Good music, house mixed with easy-to-sing songs.
Left around 11:30 p.m. to go chill and organize resupply.
Showed Tea Cup and Yaya FKJ on YouTube, then listened to a few tiny desk concerts.
Organized resupply.
Someone was logged into their Disney+ so put on Hamilton, fire.
Ate ice cream and butterscotch.
Passed out around 1:30 a.m.
Day 68 - 07/13/25 - Red’s Meadow Hot Springs
Woke up around 10:15am
Ended up sleeping on couch
Check out was at 11am so had to hustle
Made a banana and cookie butter sandwich
Drank some of my instant coffee
Tea Cu pans Yaya left
I left around 11am with Bella, Gabe, Ellie and Alex
Took trolley to the village and walked to the brewery for lunch and beer
Rest of gang left as I edited blog
After looking at the bus schedule realized I wouldn’t be able to post in time, will just post big one in Tuolumne Meadows
Packed up, walked to store, and caught the biker bus as it was loading up bikes
Went to upper village and waited for Red’s Meadow Bus, caught the last of before the time between buses expanded around 4pm
Think I might just camp near the hot spring and get some good sleep, sounds better than hiking😂
Made it to the Reds Meadow store around 5pm
Decided I would just camp at the backpacker campsite and go to the hot springs
Grabbed an ice cream sandwich, a beer, and a cookie
Ate the ice cream sandwich and saved the cookie and beer for the hot springs
Walked the quarter mile to campsite and grabbed an open spot ($5)
Set up camp
Talked with a PCT hiker, “Flower” from Orlando and her partner “Hill Billy” - nice folks
Walked up to the Hot Springs
There were kids in there so I tried to find a different spot uphill that would hopefully be more peaceful
No other spot so walked back and asked if I could join them
Luckily the water was too hot for the young tots and they scampered away under the supervision of their dad
Thank god😂
It was very hot but I submerged anyways
Drank the beer and ate my cookie
Went in the creek 10 ft away for a cold soak and then went back in the hot water
JMT hikers Kaya and Alisha joined the hot spring
Talked with a old dude named Berk doing a road trip, said he might just stay here for a while though😂
Showed Kaya and Alisha the mint that grows by the hot springs, they loved it
They used it as deodorant😂
I rubbed some on my body, a lovely fragrance
PCT hikers Whistle (Seattle) and Helios (Pasadena) joined, I had met them going over Kearsarge Pass
After my double zero, they had caught up lol
Hung out for a while, alternating between hot and cold
Went to bed around 9am, didn’t set an alarm
Day 69 - 07/14/25 - Thousand Island Lake
Distance: 17 miles
Weather: Sunny
End Location: Thousand Miles Lake
Lessons Learned:
Woke up 7:40am
Great sleep
Packed and ate breakfast
Finished packing
2 breakfast
Left 10:30am
Doing Devil’s Postpile instead of PCT Reroute
Cool basalt hex formation but nothing wild
There were a ton of lava formations like this in Oregon so was super impressed
Crossed bridge
Sunked shirt in river, brutally hot already
Resumed PCT at 11:20am
Reached the broken bridge (that the PCT reroute solved) around 12:15pm
Took shoes off and crossed barefoot
Dunked buff and shirt and brushed hair and beard while feet dried
Feeling better after the weekend off debauchery
Even a broken bridge can be crossed
Left 12:30pm
1000ft elevation over next 6 miles
Put on “balsamroot” playlist, groovy bass music
Switched to house, too hot and sunny for dark bass
Switchbacks
Passed a named meadow
More switchbacks, 3 miles until high part
Will take quick late lunch by creek
Back into the mountains 😌
Different variation of Tiger lily, full plant
Took quick lunch break at 3pm
Left 3:45pm, 6 miles to camp
Super hot today and smokey adding a warm haze to the hot air
Great view of shadow lake, aptly named
Grueling heat along moderate uphill
Then meadow / deep woods
Mosquitoes weren’t terrible but I didn’t miss them
Closer and closer to Thousand Island Lake
Fixed myself up for the beauty😂
Passed a pond with one rock in it, I called it 1 Island Lake
Big reveal 6:20pm
YAHOO
Windy on lake
Time to find a nice sheltered spot
Got text from Bella saying she was also camped at Thousand Island Lake, at the end of the blue trail
Found her spot, there were a lot of other hikers camped there so told her I was gonna keep going
She joined me on my search
With all the wind, I figured the bugs wouldn’t be bad and decided to cowboy camp
Found a nice spot with some wind protection provided by pine trees
We set a spot for dinner
Prepared cowboy camp and walked down with my food in my backpack
Went for swim and washed off, the water felt amazing, not too cold like the other alpine lakes
The wind had a bit of a nip to it though
Dried off and put on my camp outfit (fleece, jacket, pants, and fresh socks
Bella had picked out the kitchen
It had a view of the lake and the mountain but bore the brunt of the wind
Realized this actually helped with bug reduction
We both made dinner as she played reggae on her phone
Tonight I had split pea soup and some salami with cheese and crackers, and a shared my dark chocolate cookie with Bella
We talked about life
Named the mountain, Mt Igor
And the spiked formation in the middle was a dormant dragon named Dschubba (named after the star hovering above it)
Means forehead of the scorpion
We decided the dragon was a winter dragon so that’s when it came out
And that required hikers to leave offerings of their food into the lake (when they cleaned their dishes)
Tried new Italian tobacco pipe I got, classy
Had a shooting star competition
Bella ended up winning 3-2
When we were leaving, we saw the moonrise above the mountains and reflect its light across the lake
Finding camp was semi difficult in the dark😂
Went to bed around 11:45pm
Saw another shooting star, guess it’s all tied up again
Day 70 - 07/15/25 - Island Pass, Donohue Pass, and Tuolumne Meadows
Distance: 14 miles
Weather: Sunny
End Location: 4 miles outside of Tuolumne Meadows
Lessons Learned:
Woke up 5:00am with morning light
Snoozed until 6:20am
Sun warmed me up
Coffee, choco chip cookie with cookie butter
Banana
Packed up
Did some yoga on mat
Thousand Island Lake looked amazing, I get why they named a salad dressing after it
Can’t camp within 4 miles of Tuolumne Meadows so can really only do 14 miles today
Might do optional peak challenge or just swim a bunch😅
Left 8am
2 miles to top of Island Pass
Top of pass 8:50am
Bugs surprisingly not bad
In no rush, I stopped shortly after the pass at alpine lake for a swim
Had a great view of the mountain that towered over Thousand Island Lake, but it seemed smaller yet closer due to the distance and perspective
Its reflection waved as I swam breast stroke and freestyle
Did a bit of a morning yoga routine as well
Bright blue iridescent dragonflies patrolled the area
Left around 10am
Donahue pass and entrance into Yosemite in 5 miles
Bugs were terrible the lower I descended
Dancing while peeing, I got piss on both of my shoes
Ascent, less bugs
The Indian paintbrush are bright red here, like the shade of lipstick worn on Valentine’s Day
Climbed up the pass
Reached the top around 12pm, was finally in the Yosemite
Ate lunch with Bella, salami tortilla with cheese and chips
Laughed at a marmot standing next to a cannon, protecting his land
Hiked down a mile or so and hung by another alpine lake with an amazing view
Bella beat me there and was with Yaya and Tea Cup
They had just attempted the tallest peak in Yosemite but were cut a few hundred feet short due to snow and tricky traversing
Good to see them again
Relaxed and hung out
Left 4:30pm
Reached the true bottom of the pass around 6pm
Beautiful meadows
Reached camp spot around 7pm, Gabe and Bella
Better spots further ahead but was tired
Ate with gang
Watched an episode of “Last of Us”
Went to bed around 9:30pm
Day 71 - 07/16/25 - to Yosemite Valley
Distance: 6 miles
Weather: Sunny
End Location: Yosemite Valley
Lessons Learned:
Woke up from alarm at 5am
Snoozed, woke back up at 6:40am
Ate breakfast and coffee
Left 8am
The plan was to catch the 10am bus with Tea Cup, Yaya, Bella and Gabe but with 6 miles to Tuolomne Meadows, that seemed unlikely (I usually hike at 2.5 miles per hour)
Walked along gorgeous meadows
Played blue grass along the blue grass
Gophers, chipmunks, and robins all danced in the fields
At 9:30am, I still 3 miles to go
Not going to make the 10am bus to the valley, I decided to swim and enjoy the beauty of the Tuolumne River
River Tuolumne
Wash away the gloom
Of yesterday
And the things that I can’t say
River Tuolumne
Waters clear and blue
Sometimes what’s true
Is the hardest thing to do
Left around 10:30am
Passed more and more day hikers the closer I got to the meadow
Reached the Tuolumne Cafe and Store around 11:30am
No longer serving breakfast (stopped at 11:15am), I ordered a double cheeseburger, fries and soda
Mixed Coca Cola with Rootbeer and half and half to make a cream soda
Scarfed down food
The rest of the gang hitched into the valley but Hill Billy and Hannah (now has trail name “Owl” because she’s always saying “who?”) were still there
Chatted with them for a bit
Hill Billy also loves Kill Tony
Got resupply from store, cheapest one yet ($64 for 4 days)
Here and There pulled up, but weren’t going into the valley
Lucky and Moses also pulled up but weren’t going to the valley either
Good to see them though
Asked if Here if she had any extra wipes from her resupply box but didn’t
Another guy overheard me and gave me some and also some edibles😂
His trip was ending, nice guy named Sam, who just did the High Sierra Route, quite literally😂
Boarded bus at 2:15pm, paid $17 with Apple Pay - the future is here
2 hour bus ride with Hannah and Hill Billy
The bus ride was gorgeous
Passed granite slabs
Then a beach
Then woods
This upper portion of Yosemite is awesome
Hill Billy used to work in the valley, he said it all hospitality jobs but you can backpack and climb on the weekends or day off
He said they would hire me for sure
For a seasonal you only need to commit to working 90 days out of the year and only cost $20 a week for lodging… bruh
Could live here all year round for little over $1000
Interesting
Saw views of half dome, hopefully going to climb that tomorrow
Watched episode of “Last of Us”
Once finished, went back to music
Played Know Good’s “Yosemite” as we descended into the valley, felt fitting
Drop hit just as we exited the tunnel, perfect
Hilly Billy pointed out all the best views, El Capitan, Middle Cathedral, Half Dome
Got off at the Village Store around 4pm
Walked around to get my bearings
Tea Cup texted me saying they were getting pizza at Curry Village
Rode the bus over there and hopped in the long line
Alex, Ellie, Gabe and Bella were all there
Ordered the Half Dome Pizza, salami with hot honey and other goodies
Split it with Ellie
Got some beers
Hung out, good times
Watched the sun cast its alpine glow on Half Dome
Left for backpacker camp around 7pm
There weren’t many spots, so just set up cowboy camp were we could
Went to bed around 9pm
Plan was to wake up early around 5:30am and go to the ranger station for walk up Half Dome Permits
Apparently they save some for walk ups
