Day 50, June 6: Kennedy Meadows to Mile 717
Start: Kennedy Meadows - Mile 702.2
End: Monache Meadow - Mile 716.5
Miles: 14.3
Ascent: 3051 | Descent: 1244
After packing up camp at the Kennedy Meadows General Store and taking advantage of the wifi for a few more minutes, I started off around 6am. The hike was pleasant, and waves of gratitude were washing over me over finally being in the Sierra (!!!).
Soon, the trail started to follow the South Fork Kern River, and it was so lovely to listen to the water rushing by. I stopped for a bit at a bridge and noticed a hiker couple nearby. The guy was using a tenkara fishing rod, which I became interested in and bought one a few years ago, thinking I’d bring mine backpacking. Turns out I think tenkara fishing is mostly boring, but I still think it’s awesome when I see people doing it. He was far away down the bank of the river, so I chatted with his girlfriend, Lightning Rod, who had beautiful tattoos and a hip mullet.
As I was crossing the bridge, a girl nearby had her pitbull with her, and the dog came running at me, barking and growling and baring its teeth. I was absolutely terrified and a little angry that she would have a dog that behaved like that out here. She apologized but I walked away, very shook up. (I would later see her down the trail, and she explained the dog didn’t see me and was in protective move. So I understand. But still!)
I met an older lady named Late Bloom Hiker and had a nice conversation with her. She was hiking a section of the PCT sobo (southbound), and she was promoting older female hikers to get out there and get after it. It was inspiring to talk to her.
I continued on some rolling hills, and stopped for water at a spring with a few people, including Lightning Rod and her fishing boyfriend, Angler, and another guy named Bradventure.
Also, I realized I was not really in pain! In fact, I had ten pain-free miles!! Hallelujah. I think the unexpected zero in Kennedy Meadows was definitely a good choice. My foot started to hurt a little past the 10 mile mark, but the pain was very minimal so I was happy and cruising.
Soon I reached another South Fork Kern River crossing. There was a cool bridge and these amazing cliff swallows that were fluttering about under the bridge, picking up mud to add to their nests, and feeding their young.
Squirrel Daddy caught up soon after and we hung out with the other hikers around. We took another look at the upcoming mileage and figured out that it made more sense to stay at the river and split up the upcoming days. So we were done hiking at 2pm after only 15 miles, but I wasn’t complaining too much.
We are dinner with Kamilla, Popeye, Choo Choo, Christina and Yeah Yeah. Squirrel Daddy and I played DIY mad libs before retiring to our tents.