Jay and I made it to Kennedy Meadows on June 1st. In time to see Radio and Kurtis with a K. We walked onto the porch at Kennedy Meadows and up walks Tom Figueroa, of the KM Cybercafe and Hiker Trash campground. We picked up a huge pile of boxes, bear cannister, ice axes and microspikes and lots of food.
Tom showed us a lovely little camp trailer that we stayed in for 4 days while I tried to figure out what to do with our unexpected free time. Jay wanted to do trail work but he also has dreams about doing trail angel work. Tom suggested we go to Walker Pass and Trail Angel for a few days. That sounded good to us. As we pulled in to Walker Pass there was Chemical Burn hitching! So we got to catch up before he went to Kennedy Meadows with Tom.
We had a great time giving quessadillas, fruit, beer and sodas to starving appreciative hikers. It is magical, the way helping people makes you feel.We also cleaned up a particularly messy part of the trail.
Tom picked us up on Tuesday June 7th. We went on a short in and out backpacking trip toward the Sierras.
We never even got close to any snow.
We came out in time to get to Kennedy Meadows Happy Hour on Friday, caught up with some friends and hooked up with Balls and Sunshine again. Thomas(Deacon) was waiting for us to get back and so after a shower we jumped in the car and headed toward Bakersfield. From Bakersfield we caught an Amtrak train to Reno. Kevin was on the road and got to the train station to pick us up. What a reunion! We are so happy be together again.
Our plan to jump up North is proceeding. Our new plans will have us starting at Old Station on June 14th, we will hike for about a month toward Ashland, OR. Then we will take a train back South and Start the high Sierras in Late July.
Thanx to everyone who is following our route and has helped us along the way.
Mama Moab, Martin Eden (kevin), Jayhawk and Utah the trail dog
Vicky and Jay with SuperstarTrail Angel Tom Figueroa.
Jay making friends with Kurtis with a K
Jay with a gang of thru hikers including Slim who does construction work for trail angels all summer, Supertramp, who has been living rough for 13 months, Eric D, Who is on his 8th PCT hike.
Our first morning at Walker Pass we were greeted with a double rainbow.
We met about 50 hikers over the ttime we were at Walker Pass. We hope to see them all again farther North We got back to Kennedy meadows and decided to go for a short 4 day hike up to the snow level. On the way in we hiked with some new friends.
We hiked toward Lone Pine and Mt. Whitney with Popeye, taking the photo, Olive Oil on the left and Kung Fu on the right. I think you know the rest of us in the photo.
Crossing the South Fork of the Kern. from Right to Left- Popeye, Olive oil, Jay, and Kung Fu
South Fork of the Kern River
The High Sierras in sight!
High Meadows
Swallow Bridge another bridge over the swollen Kern
Olancha Peak
Vicky and Jay, It was a memorable experience meeting you. I've told all my friend and many of my students of your adventure. As Jay observed, people think your either crazy or heroes. I think maybe you're both.Have enjoyed tracking your progress;am amazed at how well you've done.
ReplyDeleteSpent last weekend in Yosemite. More water than I've ever seen. Waterfalls that normally aren't there. They just opened Tioga Pass, practically a record. Spending the 4th at Idyllwild. Plan on checking out some of the sights that you showed that I didn't know about.
If you're ever in San Diego please contact me. I'd be pleased to play tour guide. Will even take you for a hike on the beach-two miles. Dave Gauss