PCT | The Sierra
The second section of the PCT crosses the mountain range of the Sierra Nevada, from Kennedy Meadows (mile 703) to Echo Lake (mile 1093).
It is the most scenic and probably hardest and strenuous section, because of its elevation gains and high altitudes.
The timing for entering the Sierra is important for a smooth thru-hike: ideally, the majority of the snow should have already melted and the rivers shouldn’t be too strong and dangerous to be crossed anymore. Most guide books advise to leave Kennedy Meadows South around mid June during average snow years, of course after having checked the weather forecast.
1. KMS to Bishop
mi 703 - mi 790
2. Bishop to VVR
mi 790 - mi 880
3. VVR to Tuolumne Meadows
mi 880 - mi 944
4. Tuolumne Meadows to Echo Lake
mi 944 - mi 1093
These are the main challenges we faced:
Big ascents and descents ⛰️
Mosquitoes 🦟
Snow on top of passes ❄️
A few river crossings 💦
Mild altitude sickness symptoms (dizziness, headache) 🌡️
This section was game-changing for us! The mountains made us feel at home and gave us the strength and motivation to keep going, even after we thought we reached our physical and mental limits in the Desert. What a wild ride it was to wake up early, climb up a pass, reach its top, have goosebumps, fill our eyes with beauty and descend towards vaste green valleys day after day… we felt so small, but yet so invincible!
“High Sierra & First Timers”
Kennedy Meadows South to Bishop (via Kearsarge Pass)
Distance: 87 miles
Time: 6 days
Our Resupplies: Kennedy Meadows South
Mile 703 | day 43 | Kennedy Meadows
Departure from the General Store in Kennedy Meadows, heading out into the Sierra on Ray Day (June 15th)!
Our plan is to resupply in Bishop in 6-7 days… looking forward to spending one week in the mountains.
The dream team: Popeye, Chef, Lilo, Cleopatra and Pacman.
Mile 709 | day 43 | On trail
The struggle of carrying all our food for the next 7 days in a bear canister is real… of course during our break we had to crave the snack which was at the bottom of the container!
Mile 717.7 | day 43 | On trail
Returning to our tents with full bellies after a relaxing dinner on the shore of Kern River, surrounded by many singing birds.
Mile 725 | day 44 | On trail
First breathtaking views of the High Sierra.
Mile 733.8 | day 44 | On trail
Sunset at a magical campsite, where we talked about the games we like to play while hiking, like “Trail Pacman” and “Trail Mario Kart”.
Mile 752 | day 45 | On trail
Floating on the inflatable sleeping pad in the refreshing Chicken Spring Lake with Cleopatra… this was a special moment.
Mile 752 | day 45 | On trail
Chicken Spring Lake from above.
Mile 753 | day 45 | On trail
Crazy to realize that, when we now look South, we can admire these vaste green landscapes.
Mile 755 | day 45 | On trail
Chef and Cleopatra pushing the last few miles in the evening light, shortly before entering “Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks”.
Mile 767 | day 46 | Off trail
Approaching the campsite of Crab Tree Meadow, where we camped before summiting Mount Whitney early the next morning.
Mount Whitney is not on the PCT, so we took a side trail to reach it.
Mile 767 | day 47 | Off trail
We started hiking from Crab Tree Meadow at 02:30, just in time to catch this magical sunrise view from the switchbacks on the way up to Mount Whitney.
Mile 767 | day 47 | Off trail
Top of Mount Whitney (4’418 m) with the crew: Lilo, Cleopatra, Pacman, Chef.
Mile 767 | day 47 | Off trail
Hello Mister Marmot.
Mile 778 | day 48 | On trail
Approaching Forester Pass.
Mile 778 | day 48 | On trail
Pacman and Cleopatra spotted on the famous traverse of Forester Pass.
Mile 780 | day 48 | On trail
A cute pika, patiently waiting for the sun to warm up the rocks.
I couldn’t help it but thinking of the Lion King scene: “Everything the light touches is our kingdom”.
Mile 780.7 | day 48 | On trail
Lilo on top of Forester Pass (4’009 m), the highest point on the PCT.
Mile 781 | day 48 | On trail
Descent from Forester Pass.
Mile 784 | day 48 | On trail
The valley behind Forester, a wild paradise on earth. We are now in Kings Canyon National Park.
Mile 790 | day 48 | On trail
Pacman and Cleopatra taking a break at Gilbert Lake.
We exited the trail from Kearsarge Pass and headed to the town of Bishop for a well deserved zero day!
“The 6 Passes Stretch”
Bishop (via Kearsarge Pass) to VVR
Distance: 90 miles
Time: 6 days
Our Resupplies: Bishop
Mile 790 | day 50 | On trail
Bullfrog Lake.
We passed this beautiful lake twice, on our way out, and back to the trail from Bishop. The hitch from Bishop to the trailhead was difficult (took us 3 hours to be back on trail), and so was the climb to Kearsarge Pass… if not for the stunning views, it would have been mentally tough to walk 8 miles on a trail that wasn’t part of the PCT, wasn’t really bringing us towards Canada!
Mile 792.3 | day 50 | On trail
Glen Pass.
Steep ascent, steep descent… crossing into a new beautiful valley.
Mile 794.2 | day 50 | On trail
Rae Lakes.
A mosquito hell, but so peaceful and beautiful. We camped here… were too tired to continue.
Mile 808.4 | day 51 | On trail
Pinchot Pass.
God the climb was long and felt neverending. But again, a new beautiful valley laid ahead of us, ready to be discovered!
Mile 810 | day 51 | On trail
Creek crossing, “Lilo style” (just keep the shoes on, they will dry eventually).
Mile 818.1 | day 52 | On trail
Mather Pass.
We felt so alive as we reached the top of the pass. The descent was adventurous, as the trail was covered by snow and different groups of hikers were choosing different routes. We (Lilo, Chef and Pacman), the 3 Swiss hikers, chose the best one ihih.
Mile 835.4 | day 52 | On trail
The Middle Fork Kings River showed us the power of his waters, shortly before reaching our campsite.
Mile 838 | day 53 | On trail
Climb to Muir Pass.
The climb was adventurous, as we had to find our own way up through the snow.
Mile 839.8 | day 53 | On trail
Muir Pass, with the iconic John Muir Shelter.
My favorite pass of the High Sierra!
Mile 840 | day 53 | On trail
Descent from Muir Pass.
Clouds were starting to cover the blue sky, and wind was picking up… we had to move fast to escape the storm!
Mile 843 | day 53 | On trail
Sapphire Lake… great lunch spot.
Mile 848 | day 53 | On trail
A shy deer hiding in the meadows of Evolution Valley.
Mile 852 | day 53 | On trail
Pacman at the top of the “top & over variant”.
This alternative off-trail route was suggested by Andrew Skurka, in order to avoid crossing the dangerous San Joaquin River after the bridge was damaged in 2023.
There was a lot of debate between PCT and JMT hikers in the last few days: “Risk it and cross the river?”, “Do the top & over variant?”, “Skip this section of the trail?”.
We did the variant, a strenuous steep climb, traverse and descent, navigating through slabs, escaping a rolling-in storm… and god it was epic!
Mile 854.5 | day 53 | On trail
The broken bridge over San Joaquin River.
Mile 866.8 | day 54 | On trail
Selden Pass.
The views were awesome, and the mosquitoes were thirsty.
Mile 870.4 | day 54 | On trail
Post Bear Creek crossing.
The water level reached my hips, but our group of 3 managed to cross safely and without any problem!
Mile 872 | day 54 | On trail
Bear Creek from the trail.
This section was so beautiful… I really enjoyed following the river for a while, the easy terrain and the colorful mountain flowers growing on the side of the trail.
Mile 875.1 | day 54 | On trail
One of the best tentsite on the PCT so far. This was a hidden gem!
Mile 879.9 | day 55 | VVR
Leaving VVR with the 4PM boat to go back to trail.
We arrived here in the morning and decided to resupply for 4 more days, to push to Tuolumne Meadows for a zero in Yosemite, by skipping the “vortex town” of Mammoth.
Resupplying at VVR was not easy as the store was not fully stocked. However, we loved the place… the vibes were good and the food was delicious!
“1000 Lakes & Evening Laughs”
VVR to Tuolumne Meadows
Distance: 64 miles
Time: 5 days
Our Resupplies: VVR
Mile 892.4 | day 56 | On trail
Lake Virginia.
We had our lunch break here, just after crossing Silver Pass. I fell in love with this lake, with its deep blue color and the white mountains in the background.
Mile 900 | day 56 | On trail
Chef “throwing a huge cotoletta” to Pacman, talking non-stop about paragliding.
Mile 907 | day 57 | On trail
We crossed this huge “blow-down area” shortly before arriving at Red Meadows Resort.
Mile 907.8 | day 57 | Red Meadows Resort
Red Meadows Resort.
Just in time for breakfast: great vibes + warm meals + coffee + sodas + wifi + charging station = very happy hikers.
Mile 924.1 | day 58 | On trail
Thousand Islands Lake.
We breafly stopped for a perfect break on the shores of this special lake.
Mile 931.7 | day 58 | On trail
A fresh infinity pool on the descent from Donohue Pass.
Mile 933 | day 58 | On trail
Entering Yosemite Wilderness.
Mile 939 | day 59 | On trail
Tuolumne River in the early morning fog.
Mile 941 | day 59 | On trail
Walking along the meadow towards Tuolumne Meadows felt like walking through a fairytale… the light was magical, deers were elegantly walking by the trail, and the grass was covered by sparkling morning dew.
Day 60 | Yosemite
In Tuolumne Meadows, we got picked up by Petra, Chef’s aunt, who drove us into the gorgeous Yosemite Valley and with whom we spent a great zero day. We had to say goodbye to Pacman, but didn’t loose hope of catching him on trail at a later stage!
These were the views over Half Dome while driving into the valley from Tioga Pass. Here, we already knew Yosemite would steal our hearts.
Day 60 | Yosemite
After 450 miles hiked, it was time to replace our shoes. Off to a third pair of shoes for both of us… let’s break them in!
Day 60 | Yosemite
Chef and Petra on the way to Sentinel Dome.
Day 60 | Yosemite
Views over El Capitan. Couldn’t spot Alex Honnold though.
Day 60 | Yosemite
I don’t know why, but even the moss looked special in this valley.
Day 60 | Yosemite
The breathtaking cliffs at Taft Point.
Day 60 | Yosemite
Half Dome… the most particular and beautiful mountain I have ever seen. This view from Glacier Point literally took my breath away!
I am so glad we took our time to visit Yosemite, it was definitely worth the detour from the PCT. I’ll never forget the first time I saw Half Dome and El Cap… wide eyes, open mouth and goosebumps!
“Chasing Pacman”
Tuolumne Meadows to Echo Lake
Distance: 149 miles
Time: 8 days
Our Resupplies: Mariposa (during side quest)
Mile 960 | day 62 | On trail
Back on trail. With 8 days of food packed in our bear canisters, our plan is to walk straight to Echo Lake… and to chase Pacman.
These were reflections in the forest during a peaceful morning.
Mile 961 | day 62 | On trail
Miller Lake.
Pooping with a view.
Mile 963 | day 62 | On trail
Morning sun kissing the mountain.
Mile 963 | day 62 | On trail
Non ti scordar di me.
Mile 967.5 | day 62 | On trail
Chef on top of Benson Pass. Mosquito hell… hence no break possible, and frustrated vibes.
Mile 976 | day 62 | On trail
Small Lake.
The name was not so promising, but this was definitely our favorite lake in the Sierra Nevada… top swim spot, no mosquitoes, sweet views, great memories!
Mile 976.9 | day 62 | On trail
Views from Seavey Pass.
A ranger finally asked us to show our PCT permits!
Mile 985 | day 63 | On trail
Bambi smelling flowers.
Mile 1000 | day 63 | On trail
Hit the 1000 mile mark! Feels good, mosquitoes aside.
Mile 1002 | day 63 | On trail
Daisies warn us about two things lately: idyllic place, and mosquitoes, lots of mosquitoes.
Mile 1010 | day 64 | On trail
The trail surprised us before reaching Sonora Pass: this was a special alpine day, with volcanic landscapes and no mosquitoes. We were in paradise!
Mile 1011 | day 64 | On trail
Chef walking on Mars.
Mile 1018 | day 64 | On trail
The landscapes started to change… mountains became hills, rocks gave place to grass, and mosquitoes to flies.
Mile 1025 | day 65 | On trail
Some lonely book pages: to save weight on the trail, pages get ripped and tossed into a fire pit after being read.
Mile 1045 | day 66 | On trail
The flowers in this final stretch of the Sierra have been mindblowing!
Mile 1059 | day 67 | On trail
Chef walking on Mars 2.0.
Mile 1069 | day 67 | On trail
View from a mountain called “the Nipple” over Blue Lake.
Mile 1071 | day 67 | On trail
Best campsite so far, right on the shores of the Lost Lakes.
Mile 1071 | day 67 | On trail
Magical sunrise at the Lost Lakes.
Mile 1089 | day 67 | On trail
Views over Lake Tahoe.
The next morning we will reach Echo Lake, marking the end of the Sierra section, the end of a chapter… we feel proud that we made it so far, but also nostalgic, as we fell in love with the mountains and lakes of the Sierra Nevada.
We still didn’t catch Pacman, but we know we are getting closer.
Off to Northern California!
