Stats

Start: Tentsite on ridge – Mile 814
End: Middle Fork Kings River – Mile 830
Elevation Max: 12,100
Elevation Min: 8,222
Elevation Change: 2,322 up & 4,159 down
Average Heart Rate: 110
Walking Time: 5 hrs 3 minutes
Date: 5/27/2022

The Walk

The morning sun peaked over the mountain. I had been awake a few times before 7 to blow up my air mattress. I think it had a leak. The air isn’t holding too well.

Oh well. I’ll deal with that in town. For now it works good enough. And we have a lot of miles yet to go. Mather pass is today. The view was still as good this morning and I felt happy to be awake. And ready for another day.

We started around 8. Way later than normal, but I didn’t care in the Sierrras. I’m here to enjoy the experience. We had two miles to the top of Mather Pass. It’s known for steep and sketchy, slick climbs. And it didn’t disappoint.

On the way up we mountaineered up a bit of mountain and used shoe steps on a steep snowy side. On the way down I skidded with my microspikes, and took few clunky glissades. Trying not to go too fast and get out of control.

It was the steepest pass yet. Definitely felt the sketchiest. But overall okay. A lot of snow has melted in recent weeks. We had quite a bit on the approach.

The view into the next section was beautiful. We overlooked paradise lakes and disappointing peak (I wonder why it’s named that way, it’s a perfect place for an evil wizard)!

After getting down to the lakes, we passed two frozen ones and stopped for lunch overlooking both frozen lakes, it was chilly. But a spectacular view, we stayed for a bit then started walking through the valley.

The earth felt alive. Mountains rose up on both sides of us and raging water filled a third of the valley. We were just above, walking in the mountainside. As we walked the area grew wider and life came to be.

I saw lizards and deer, grasses and flowers, pine trees and massive trees! It was a beautiful section. We walked through and looked at peaks, rushing water, and forests all day.

After some exciting river crossings 3x log walks in a row we decided to call it around 16 miles. We found a great site overlooking the raging river and watched the sun set behind the peaks.

Then had dinner and relaxed. I set up camp a hundred yards up the hill to keep condensation down. We’ll see how it works.

Tomorrow is another big day. Muir pass and camping at evolution lakes.