PCT Day 40

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PCT Day 40, 21 June 2022 (Tuesday)

“Apex Treader”

Start Location:	Crabtree Meadow	Destination:	Wilderness Campsite
PCT Miles Day 40:	22.6	Cum PCT Miles:	788.9
Non-PCT Miles Day 40:	2.4	Cum All Miles:	839.6
PCT Miles Remaining:	1,863.7
Elevation Gain Day 40:	5,445	Cum Elevation Gain:	139,996

 

What a 1-2 punch. First, Mount Whitney yesterday, then Forester Pass today.  The highest point I’ll get to on this hike, and the highest point on the PCT trail.

I have to say that whoever designed and built the trail leading up to Forester Pass, and especially going to the top of Forester Pass, did a great job.  When you’re near the base of the pass looking up, it doesn’t seem possible that there is a trail there, but there is actually a very good trail.

Today was another perfect weather day.  And the scenery was spectacular almost everywhere you looked.  It was the kind of day where you could take a great picture every few minutes.

I was going to spend the night at Charlotte Lake, which is not on the PCT, but decided to just get water there and find a spot back up by the PCT trail so I would have a shorter hike over Kearsarge Pass in the morning.  This decision was made much easier because of the fact that Charlotte Lake was also swarming with mosquitos, by far the most I've seen yet on this hike.

I am a day ahead of schedule again, so I’ll probably go to town a day early, but return to the trail on Friday as scheduled in my plan.


Morning scene, on the way from Crabtree Meadow to Wallace Creek


Wallace Creek, first longish water crossing...it was really just a long rock hop

 
Mt. Whitney from a different angle


Tawny Point, a little different look out here


Forester Pass ahead


Finally, a little patch of snow on trail


Getting closer to Forester Pass


Trail near the top of Forester Pass


Atop Forester Pass


Tarns at the base of Forester Pass

 
Skypilot. There is actually a geologic feature in Yosemite, Skypilot Col, named after this flower.


Unnamed pond...the photo doesn't do it justice, you could just sit there and look at it all day

 
East Vidette

 
Bubbs Creek

 
From near Vidette meadow

 

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