I awoke at 5:00 am despite staying up past 11 last night working on my blog. I guess my body is getting used to waking up early. It gets dark at 7:30 pm now so I’m usually in bed and falling asleep by 8:00 or 8:30 when I’m on the trail. This earlier bedtime is leading me to wake up earlier.
Group Photo of Mt. Williamson PCT Guests Before Hitting the Trail
I joined the other guests of the Mt. Williamson Motel for breakfast at 7:00 am and I was back at the Onion Valley Trailhead and ready to hike by 9:00 am. I had a 2500 foot climb ahead of me up and over Kearsarge Pass but it wasn’t as bad as I had feared. I felt well-rested and recharged from my night in town and plodded steadily up the hill.
Selfie with Strider. Whew the Sun is Bright!
As I was ascending the hill, I passed Strider who was coming down the hill. Apparently, she climbs up to Kearsarge Pass from the Onion Valley Trailhead every single morning. Wow. Impressive. We stopped to chat for a few minutes and we hugged before I continued on my way.
The View as I Hiked up Towards Kearsarge
The View as I hiked up towards Kearsarge
When I made it to the top of Kearsarge Pass, a crowd of other hikers were gathered there so I didn’t stay long. I continued over to the other side and found a spot overlooking Kearsarge Lakes for lunch. I was happy to find that my appetite has fully returned after my bout of altitude sickness.
Almost to the top of Kearsarge Pass!
Bullfrog Lake
I continued hiking along the Kearsarge trail until I finally made it back to the PCT and then headed north. Glen Pass, elevation 11948 feet, was only located a few miles up the trail so I decided to tackle that today as well. When I reached the top, I had the summit to myself.
Hiking Towards Glen Pass
Panorama from the Ascent Towards Glen Pass
Panorama from the Top of Glen Pass
View from the top of Glen Pass Towards Rae Lakes
The Trail along the top of Glen Pass and Down the Other Side, Including Walking Across a Snowfield
On the other side, the trail descended to the popular Rae Lakes area. I decided to stay there for the night because it has a bear box and I have too much food to fit in my bear can after my resupply. I could feel the temperature dropping as I made dinner and hurried through my evening chores. It feels like it’s going to be colder tonight than it has been so far. I put my electronics and my water filter inside my sleeping bag to keep them warm and drifted off to sleep.
The View of Glen Pass from the North Side
Rae Lakes
It’s really cold tonight! Brrr!!
PCT 2017 Stats
PCT Day 155 – Friday, September 15
Onion Valley Trailhead to Rae Lakes Mile 793.5
PCT Miles Hiked Today: 4.4
Non-PCT Miles Hiked Today: 7.5
Total PCT Miles Hiked: 1663.8
Feet Ascended Today: 3873
Feet Descended Today: 2728
Current Elevation: 10617
Steps: 45275
For more on my experience hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, visit my Pacific Crest Trail Blog page.
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