Jack5455 - Pacific Crest Trail Journal - 2009

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Morning reflections

2 passes with incredible views

I left for Forrester Pass at 7 am and got there at 8 am. My hat goes off to the PCT'ers that did this in early to mid June. It was exciting just on a snow free trail. Then there was the north side. The "spring" route cuts left from the pass traversing to the rock ridge and then down to re-connect with the trail. This route is a major mine field right now but I only postholed 3 or so times. the .5 miles took me about an hour to negotiate.

The scenery today was some of the best in the world - peaks, meadow, waterfalls, roaring creeks, lakes, flowers. After the pass it was all down hill until the trail hits the Bubbs Creek Headwall - then ouch - major uphill. I had to detour to Kearsage Pass/Onion Valley/Independence to re-supply. I picked the first cutoff even though the return route will be harder. I picked this way for 2 reasons: first, water on route and second, shorter on the way out and I really wanted to get to Onion Valley today.

Kearsage Pass by itself is not much of a pass. In fact near the pass, the trail is a pile of scree or in German: "Schutt". If it were not for the incredible surrounding scenery, I would use the German word. The star of the scenery is probably Mount Williamson.

I did make it to Onion Valley trail head where a man offered to share his campsite - he was a trail runner/hiker and was interested in my hike. I hope I am as lucky getting a ride to town tomorrow.

Entry 61 of 86
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