What is the Best Section of the PCT?
Part 2 – Mid California (The Sierra Nevada Mountains)
Miles 700 – 1195
CA Sections G – L, Kennedy Meadows to Sierra City
Summary
Kennedy Meadows 17/05/17 – 10/07/17 Sierra City (including a 9 day off-trail break for 4th July)
It was exciting to finally get to the most spoken-about part of the entire PCT – the Sierra (or Sierras)! We knew it was going to be tough, but truth be told, there wasn’t much information about trail conditions as we were one of the earlier groups to go through. We hit snow shortly after leaving Kennedy Meadows, and it was everywhere! There were barely any exposed patches, aside from a few tree wells and rock outcrops.
Finding a spot to sleep was often challenging, and aside from a few nights of sleeping on snow, I’d often find myself sleeping on a bumpy rock or a lucky patch of exposed ground (often not very flat). The days’ mileage consisted of a low 5-15 miles per day due to post-holing and sheer energy use. This meant that it took much longer to get through the Sierras than compared to a normal year, when the snow is much patchier.
I experienced the greatest challenges of the entire trail in this section, including the first mental challenge – losing my trail family. My friends Rex and Corky both left after reaching Glen Pass. Rex for lack of confidence with footing and heights, and Corky needed to meet a friend further ahead on the trail. I hiked with my other trail friends for the next week before hiking alone for several weeks straight. This was a huge change, especially in the environment I was in. I’m not unfamiliar with hiking solo, but when you’re risking your life climbing snow-covered mountains and ridges – a single mistake could end your hike.
The greatest challenge of hiking solo was the raging river crossings. I had to make a big decision to skip past a section where the increased snow melt meant crossing rivers was life-threatening. At least two hikers died in this one section this year. However, this also meant I could visit the spectacular Yosemite Valley via the John Muir Trail!
Favourite Section
The High Sierra
This is the first part of the Sierra, which includes the five famous passes: Forester, Glen, Pinchot, Mather and Muir Pass, along with a side trail to Mt Whitney – the tallest peak in the lower 48 states (4421m / 14505ft). Mount Whitney was a test for us, and unfortunately (though we didn’t know at the time), we hiked past the body of a girl who slipped and fell through the snow down a waterfall to her death.
Luckily, we hiked off-trail at this point and never saw the body. The climb up the Whitney Portal side was brutally steep, and the summit was a great reward at the end! My leading route of Mather Pass was probably one of the toughest mountaineering tests I had on the hike, but again, thoroughly rewarding in the end. All in all, this was a challenging section, but the challenge and the sheer beauty of it all made it one of the best sections on the entire trail.
Favourite Town
Bishop
Hands down, one of the best towns on the trail! It’s situated around halfway through the High Sierra, and was a universally favoured resupply point for most hikers. With its outstanding PCT-supported (and cheap) hostel, great restaurants and mountain gear shops – this place had it all. I ended up spending about 6 days in total here (two different visits).
Least Favourite Town
Sierra City
It served its purpose as a resupply point at the end of the Sierras, but it was just that. Aside from a delicious ‘Gutbuster’ burger, some electronics charging and resupplying, it was a get-in and-get-out type place.
Main Hiking Partners
Rex – mile 179 to 791 (Idyllwild to Glen Pass)
Corky – mile 179 to 791 (Idyllwild to Glen Pass)
Akhuna – mile 777 to 856 (Forester Pass to Piute Pass turnoff)
Rubberball – mile 777 to 856 (Forester Pass to Piute Pass turnoff)
Grim – mile 777 to 856 (Forester Pass to Piute Pass turnoff)
Thirsty – mile 777 to 856 (Forester Pass to Piute Pass turnoff)
Bobby Hill – mile 777 to 856 (Forester Pass to Piute Pass turnoff)
Pirate – mile 789 to 807 (Kearsarge Pass to Pinchot Pass)
Moonshine Pete – mile 1091 to 1153 (South Lake Tahoe to Donner Pass)
Was The Sierra the Best Section of the PCT?
When considering all things, this section was definitely my personal favourite. It offered the most extremes of all experiences, and this is where I thrived the most.
~ Read more about my next section hike review in northern California here ~
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