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Pacific Crest Trail: CA Section 20
KENNEDY MEADOWS to TUOLUMNE MEADOWS: The highlight reel of this 209-mile section includes three national parks, several high passes with heavenly views, two stunning wilderness areas, and not a single road. Option: Detour up Mt. Whitney, the tallest peak in the Lower 48.
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| Author: | Backpacker Magazine |
| Activity: | Hiking |
| State: | California (CA) |
| Distance: | 227.73 mi |
| Difficulty: | 8 / 10 |
| Rating: |
 1 rating(s)
|
TO TRAILHEAD: From Little Lake, CA, take US 395 S for 7 mi. Turn R onto Nine Mile Canyon Rd. (becomes Kennedy Meadow Rd.). Head W; follow 26 mi. to Kennedy Meadow Campground.
| Position Format: | Datum: |
Tracks
CAPCT030
| Distance: 209.66 mi | Points: 3267 |
CA PCT TRACK 030
KPT01
| Distance: 4.85 mi | Points: 97 |
Off PCT: Kearsage Pass Track
VVR01
| Distance: 6.16 mi | Points: 118 |
Off PCT: Vermillion Valley Resort
MWT01
| Distance: 5.64 mi | Points: 113 |
Off PCT: Mount Whitney via John Muir Trail
STM01
| Distance: 1.42 mi | Points: 29 |
Off PCT: Shortcut to Tuolumne Meadows
Points of Interest
PCT397
Location: 36.054550, -118.130684Kennedy Meadows Trailhead @ N end of campground
PCT398
Location: 36.078884, -118.124031Bridge over South Fork Kern River
PCT399
Location: 36.101185, -118.118980Creeklet
PCT400
Location: 36.128685, -118.133850Another creeklet running beside the trail
PCT401
Location: 36.138817, -118.139748Haiwee Trail junction; stay straight
PCT402
Location: 36.152466, -118.147133Creek
PCT403
Location: 36.181915, -118.128830Bridge over South Fork Kern River; be sure to take a look under the bridge where you'll find the nests of hundreds of swallows. Because of their droppings, go upstream of the bridge to get water. There is an excellent campsite high on the S bank.
PCT404
Location: 36.182533, -118.128166Trail junction; Go straight and head into Cow Creek Canyon
PCT405
Location: 36.227318, -118.134613R @ Junction to Monache Meadows, the largest in the Sierras
PCT406
Location: 36.225132, -118.130066Cross a creek
PCT407
Location: 36.224117, -118.129013Olancha Pass Junction; stay straight, eventually the trail curves N
PCT408
Location: 36.224667, -118.128036Trailside camp
PCT409
Location: 36.225266, -118.127480Trail junction to Olancha Pass Trail
PCT410
Location: 36.227482, -118.127647Creek
PCT411
Location: 36.232018, -118.121986Creek
PCT412
Location: 36.273418, -118.136467Creek
PCT413
Location: 36.286266, -118.140419Creek
PCT414
Location: 36.296467, -118.130783Creek
PCT415
Location: 36.321518, -118.131020Dry creek, good camping on N side
PCT416
Location: 36.355835, -118.123299Crestline saddle with views E down toward the high-elevation desert of the Owens Valley
PCT417
Location: 36.369816, -118.137352Junction to a spring .25-mi. to R, plenty of flat camping amongst the large foxtail pines in this area
PCT418
Location: 36.413033, -118.139099Junction with faint spur trail going R down to meadow with a hard-to-find spring
PCT419
Location: 36.427582, -118.147835Unsigned spur to water and corral; take R
PCT420
Location: 36.429768, -118.165398Go straight @ Mulkey Pass trail junction; going L about .25-mi. leads to a spring marked by a signed tree
PCT421
Location: 36.427185, -118.176430Go straight @ Trail Pass trail junction; R leads to popular Hoseshoe Meadows Trailhead where you might be able to hitch into Lone Pine for supplies
PCT422
Location: 36.453201, -118.215683Go straight @ Cottonwood Pass; R will also take you to Horseshoe Meadow
PCT423
Location: 36.454235, -118.224983Chicken Spring Lake outlet; stop here for a swim in your first Sierra lake; excellent camping found 100 ft. from the S shore
PCT424
Location: 36.473618, -118.260498Sequoia NP Boundary
PCT425
Location: 36.478767, -118.271935Go straight @ Siberian Pass/Rock Creek Trail Junction
PCT426
Location: 36.490932, -118.319717Creeklet
PCT427
Location: 36.493851, -118.320282Go straight @ New Army Pass trail junction
PCT428
Location: 36.495682, -118.329384Spur to Rock Creek Ranger Station
PCT429
Location: 36.496166, -118.337082Cross Rock Creek; there is a bear locker here
PCT430
Location: 36.506783, -118.343002Guyot Creek
PCT431
Location: 36.552418, -118.358704Whitney Creek: take R @ spur to Crabtree Ranger Station to meet Mt. Whitney Trail; PCT continues L
PCT432
Location: 36.563618, -118.349434Crabtree Ranger Station and bear box; John Muir Trail to Mt. Whitney across creek
PCT433
Location: 36.573349, -118.314651Campsite by stunning Guitar Lake; great basecamp for Whitney attempt. Even if you decide not to summit, enjoy camping in this high-alpine cirque
PCT434
Location: 36.578617, -118.291985Summit Mt. Whitney, highest point in lower 48; enjoy views of the Great Western Divide, the central Sierras, and the Owens Valley below
PCT435
Location: 36.558849, -118.361870Rejoin PCT/JMT; from here to Red's Meadow, the PCT and JMT are the same trail. Follow all JMT signs until Devils Postpile NM.
PCT436
Location: 36.594131, -118.371117Wallace Creek and High Sierra Trail junction and bear box
PCT437
Location: 36.598915, -118.374153Wright Creek
PCT438
Location: 36.620144, -118.380638Bighorn Plateau
PCT439
Location: 36.635017, -118.385468Bear box
PCT440
Location: 36.639717, -118.388046Spur to Tyndall Creek Ranger Station
PCT441
Location: 36.640934, -118.387398Shepard Pass trail
PCT442
Location: 36.642132, -118.387413Tyndall Creek
PCT443
Location: 36.643002, -118.387451Bear box
PCT444
Location: 36.645050, -118.388130Lake South America trail
PCT445
Location: 36.694534, -118.373535Forester Pass: highest point on PCT and entrace into Kings Canyon NP
PCT446
Location: 36.730915, -118.372833Center Basin Creek
PCT447
Location: 36.751518, -118.395287Bear box
PCT448
Location: 36.759300, -118.405830Vidette Meadow campsite and bear box
PCT449
Location: 36.760216, -118.407166Camp in Lower Vidette Meadows
PCT450
Location: 36.760300, -118.412102Bubbs Creek/PCT Junction; head uphill
PCT451
Location: 36.768066, -118.411415Bullfrog Lake Trail junction. Not the PCT, but spur trail to Independence for a necessary resupply
PCT452
Location: 36.773682, -118.381714Kearsage Pass Trail Junction
PCT453
Location: 36.773132, -118.376564Kearsage Pass, leaving Kings Canyon NP into Inyo National Forest to Onion Valley
PCT454
Location: 36.774826, -118.343178Golden Trout Lakes Junction
PCT455
Location: 36.772533, -118.341202Onion Valley Trailhead
PCT456
Location: 36.772949, -118.413651Trail junction
PCT457
Location: 36.773285, -118.417564Resume PCT
PCT458
Location: 36.789616, -118.412102Glen Pass
PCT459
Location: 36.801815, -118.403198Rae Lakes, Sixty Lakes Basin trail junction
PCT460
Location: 36.806583, -118.398048Bear box
PCT461
Location: 36.811218, -118.400650Spur to Rae Lakes Ranger Station
PCT462
Location: 36.814632, -118.404999Bear box @ Lower Rae Lakes and good camping
PCT463
Location: 36.832947, -118.408798Spur to Baxter Pass near Dollar Lake
PCT464
Location: 36.849800, -118.412430Crossing at South Fork Woods Creek
PCT465
Location: 36.873432, -118.436966Wooden suspension bridge over Woods Creek and bear locker
PCT466
Location: 36.902550, -118.400551Sawmill Pass trail junction
PCT467
Location: 37.030518, -118.456902Pinchot Pass
PCT468
Location: 36.969433, -118.441170High water log crossing at South Fork Kings River
PCT469
Location: 37.031715, -118.460098Mather Pass
PCT470
Location: 37.054501, -118.514702Deer Meadow campsite
PCT471
Location: 37.052647, -118.578674Middle Fork Kings River Junction; follow signs for JMT N into LeConte Canyon
PCT472
Location: 37.110615, -118.604897Campsite at Big Pete Meadow
PCT473
Location: 37.113251, -118.633163Helen Lake Outlet, climb continues
PCT474
Location: 37.118668, -118.659866Muir Hut on Muir Pass
PCT475
Location: 37.111984, -118.670914Crossing at Evolution Lake inlet
PCT476
Location: 37.187855, -118.745514Nice, flat camp on Mc Clure Meadow with sublime views of The Hermit and Evolution Peaks
PCT477
Location: 37.195000, -118.773170Old PCT junction @ Evolution Creek; high-water crossing can be swift
PCT478
Location: 37.195465, -118.781670Rejoin new PCT @ crossing of Evolution Creek
PCT479
Location: 37.193016, -118.794968Bridge over South Fork San Joaquin River and Goddard Canyon trail junction
PCT480
Location: 37.202965, -118.800537Cross metal bridge
PCT481
Location: 37.225250, -118.832748Bridge, leaving Kings Canyon NP into Sierra National Forest
PCT482
Location: 37.225899, -118.860786Florence Lake trail junction
PCT483
Location: 37.242100, -118.871696Spur to Florence Lake trail and Muir Trail Ranch
PCT484
Location: 37.253551, -118.864647Senger Creek
PCT485
Location: 37.270134, -118.876549Outlet of eastern of Sally Keyes Lakes
PCT486
Location: 37.280918, -118.874649Outlet of Heart Lake
PCT487
Location: 37.289917, -118.872803Selden Pass
PCT488
Location: 37.321884, -118.868286Leaving PCT to cross Bear Creek at three forks section; use caution at dangerous ford
PCT489
Location: 37.330166, -118.866882Return to PCT at normal crossing of Bear Creek
PCT490
Location: 37.368000, -118.888153PCT leaves Bear Creek to climb ridge
PCT491
Location: 37.382534, -118.910370Trail to Bear Ridge trailhead and foot access to Vermillion Valley Resort
PCT492
Location: 37.412518, -118.924370Leaving PCT for ferry across Edison Lake to Vermillion Valley Ranch at this junction
PCT493
Location: 37.405216, -118.942368Ferry landing
PCT494
Location: 37.375702, -119.012451Vermillion Valley Resort (http://www.edisonlake.com) first beer and one-night stay in platform tents free for thru-hikers; meals in diner are pricey, but filling
PCT495
Location: 37.470165, -118.923233Silver Pass
PCT496
Location: 37.501301, -118.924835Bridge over Fish Creek
PCT497
Location: 37.527317, -118.949135Outlet of Purple Lake; no camping allowed
PCT498
Location: 37.539318, -118.970970Creek
PCT499
Location: 37.563465, -119.033714Deer Creek; campsites
PCT500
Location: 37.591148, -119.058487Creek below Red Cones and Mammoth Pass Trail
PCT501
Location: 37.609917, -119.075348Rainbow Falls trail
PCT502
Location: 37.615002, -119.074852Red's Meadow Resort: great diner and moderately stocked store; thermal showers at group campsites; shuttles run to Mammoth Mountain Ski Area and town bus runs into Mammoth town
PCT503
Location: 37.627018, -119.085548Bridge near Devils Postpile
PCT504
Location: 37.632801, -119.088654Resume PCT @ split with JMT
PCT505
Location: 37.653168, -119.080032Bridge over Middle Fork San Joaquin River
PCT506
Location: 37.682449, -119.097519Another trail to Shadow Lake
PCT507
Location: 37.681984, -119.086334Agnew Meadow parking lot
PCT508
Location: 37.682800, -119.084618High trail trailhead
PCT509
Location: 37.723267, -119.132484Great camping with view of the Minarets, Banner Peak and Mount Ritter -- the centerpiece summits of the grand Ritter Range
PCT510
Location: 37.725349, -119.134415Trail to Clarke Lake
PCT511
Location: 37.728535, -119.171280JMT and PCT merge @ Thousand Island Lake
PCT512
Location: 37.761833, -119.249367Donohue Pass trail; enter Yosemite National Park
PCT513
Location: 37.777416, -119.261833Bridge over Lyell Fork
PCT514
Location: 37.794300, -119.263000Campsite in grass just off trail along Lyell Fork
PCT515
Location: 37.866749, -119.322151Bridge and trail junction to Tuolumne Pass
PCT516
Location: 37.868717, -119.333069Reach Y. Go R to stay on official PCT. To L is short spur to backpacker's campground and Tuolumne Meadows General Store.
PCT517
Location: 37.869873, -119.332703Bridge over Lyell Fork of the Tuolumne River. Deep pools great for swimming and bBig, flat rocks for stretching out.
PCT518
Location: 37.877834, -119.338760L @ T toward Tioga Road and Wilderness Center; smooth cap of Lembert Dome to N
PCT519
Location: 37.876980, -119.353065Turn L @ parking lot and follow gravel road into broad river plain of Tuolumne Meadows; enjoy wide views to the carved granite spires of the Cathedral Range.
PCT520
Location: 37.874298, -119.357101520: Tuolumne Meadows General Store--fully stocked and package service @ US Post Office; backpacker’s campsite S of road behind group campsite fire ring.
PCT521
Location: 37.879101, -119.366852R @ 3-way following PCT N to Glen Aulin. <p></p>More PCT: <a href="http://backpacker.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip.aspx?TripID=28660">Next Section</a> | <a href="http://backpacker.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip.aspx?TripID=28657">Previous Section</a>
The Big Hill
Location: 36.565891, -118.349266Postcard views of Mount Whitney's helmet-shaped crest from the west. ©Jack Haskel
Crossing Whitney Creek
Location: 36.562225, -118.350609A PCT'er negotiates a creek crossing while a fellow hiker balances the log. ©Jack Haskel
Mount Hitchcock Reflection
Location: 36.567314, -118.304596This ridge frames the south end of the Whitney Basin. ©Jack Haskel
Climbing to Trail Crest
Location: 36.561230, -118.298599Still in the shadow of early day, a PCT'er climbs to the turnoff for Mount Whitney. ©Jack Haskel
Summit Push
Location: 36.575817, -118.293854A PCT'er climbs along the block-filled route to Whitney's summit. ©Jack Haskel
Along the Sierra Crest
Location: 36.572765, -118.289734This view over Mount Muir and the tilted ridge south of Whitney reveals a snowy landscape stretching to the Great Western Divide. ©Jack Haskel
Whitney Hut
Location: 36.579483, -118.292244The Mount Whitney Hut and was built in 1909 as a station for meteorological observations and is now a National Historic Landmark. The metal roof of this hut attracts lightning which can be conducted through the building to individuals inside. Do not seek shelter here during a storm. It is unsafe to be anywhere on top of the mountain or any exposed high place during a thunderstorm.©Jack Haskel
Jack at the register
Location: 36.579128, -118.290726Map contributor Jack Haskel stands next to the Whitney Hut with the Kaweah Peaks in the background. ©Jack Haskel
Into the Whitney Basin
Location: 36.577785, -118.293678The iconically shaped Guitar Lake rests in the Whitney Basin, with the Great Western Divide and Kaweah Peaks in the background. ©Jack Haskel
Bighorn Plateau
Location: 36.615692, -118.376556A day north of Whitney, this large plateau is up high for miles and the vista is pure Sierra: jagged peaks all around and no one is sight. Go to the <a href="http://backpacker.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip.aspx?TripID=28659">Full Section</a>. ©Jack Haskel
Climbing to Forester Pass
Location: 36.691372, -118.373734With the Kaweah Ridge behind, a PCT'er continues the trip north. ©Jack Haskel
Snowfield
Location: 36.680347, -118.379646Two PCT'ers traverse a deep snowfield south of Forester Pass. ©Jack Haskel
Steep View
Location: 36.693253, -118.372925Knife-edged switchbacks provide long-range views over the Great Western Divide. ©Jack Haskel
At the pass
Location: 36.694328, -118.372299Three PCT'ers relish in cresting Forester, the highest pass on the PCT. ©Jack Haskel
Jack at the Pass
Location: 36.695133, -118.373558Contributor Jack Haskel sits on the Sequoia-Kings Canyon boundary at Forest Pass. ©Jack Haskel
Long Glissade
Location: 36.698452, -118.370148Coming off of Forester, a PCT'er takes the short way down. ©Jack Haskel
Kings Canyon
Location: 36.713058, -118.368805After Forester, the PCT enters the north end of Kings Canyon, a deep, glacially carved trench. ©Jack Haskel
East Vidette
Location: 36.764217, -118.408012Rising above Kings Canyon and Vidette Meadow is the triangular point of East Vidette. ©Jack Haskel
Kearsarge Pinnacles
Location: 36.773869, -118.380409Travelling to Kearsarge Pass, the jagged edge of the Kearsarge Pinnacles stand above a lake-dappled basin. ©Jack Haskel
Kearsarge Pass
Location: 36.773193, -118.375023A PCT'er stands at the Kings Canyon border at Kearsarge Pass. ©Jack Haskel
Rae Lakes
Location: 36.799355, -118.401932A granite-encrusted lake basin with a narrow isthmus. ©Jack Haskel
Painted Lady
Location: 36.804203, -118.400131The Painted Lady, a dome of varicolored bands, hovers over Upper Rae Lake. ©Jack Haskel
Rae Lakes and Fin Dome
Location: 36.812553, -118.403992Views over the granite domes and craggy tars of the popular Rae Lakes Basin. ©Jack Haskel
Lonesome Path
Location: 36.838673, -118.407402A PCT'er strides into the verdant reaches of Kings Canyon. ©Jack Haskel
Big ford
Location: 36.827454, -118.409203A PCT'er crosses a cold, swift creek in Kings Canyon NP. ©Jack Haskel
Storms approaching Mather Pass
Location: 36.936062, -118.412262A PCT'er big-sticks to Mather Pass, with a storm brewing to the south. ©Jack Haskel
Up to Mather Pass
Location: 37.030827, -118.459854Deep snow on the path to Mather Pass. ©Jack Haskel
Long Slog to Muir Pass
Location: 37.121632, -118.652321High snow blankets the bench leading to Muir Pass. ©Jack Haskel
The Muir Hut
Location: 37.112892, -118.667641Perched on an exposed ridge, the Muir Hut welcomes weary hikers with shelter. ©Jack Haskel
Climbing to Muir Pass
Location: 37.114338, -118.663544The large basin of Helen Lake makes for a long final climb to Muir Pass. Deep ©Jack Haskel
One of the locals
Location: 37.112171, -118.670166A local marmot hangs out in the Muir Hut. ©Jack Haskel
Evolution Basin from Muir Pass
Location: 37.113525, -118.671295The snow basin of Wanda Lake opens up once you crest Muir Pass. ©Jack Haskel
Evolution Valley View
Location: 37.175343, -118.701752Looking down from Evolution Lake's bench see far-off views north over the Goddard Divide. ©Jack Haskel
Flooded Meadow
Location: 37.187057, -118.742035Evolution Creek reaches the trail in high water. In low water, the creek flows past the little green clumps in the center of the frame. ©Jack Haskel
Evolution Valley
Location: 37.187328, -118.746628Evolution Creek floods McClure Meadow, creating a virtual lake. The Hermit and Mt. Darwin Bench reflect in the glassy watercourse. ©Jack Haskel
Sierra Alpenglow
Location: 37.186157, -118.743744Early stages of dusk paint the Hermit and Mt. Mendel soft-pink against azure skies. ©Jack Haskel
A Raging Shower
Location: 37.195347, -118.781235Contributor Jack Haskel showers under the frigid spill-off from Evolution Creek. ©Jack Haskel
Freaked-out Crossing
Location: 37.194897, -118.785561Contributor Jack Haskel stands gape-mouthed at the relentless torrents of Evolution Creek. Be wary: early-spring melt in the Sierras can create dangerous fords. ©Jack Haskel
Fery Landing
Location: 37.405888, -118.941940PCT'ers wait at the Edison Lake boat dock for the ferry to Vermillion Valley Resort. ©Jack Haskel
Edison Queen
Location: 37.389061, -118.955963With the Vermillion Cliffs in the background, PCT'ers rest on the deck of the Edison Queen, Vermillion Valley Resort's ferry shuttle. ©Jack Haskel
Raging Creek
Location: 37.441914, -118.918121A lone PCT'er makes the slippery crossing where Silver Pass Creek tumbles from the bedrock. ©Jack Haskel
Jack at Silver Pass
Location: 37.470451, -118.922585Contributor Jack Haskel gives two thumbs-up to the views at Silver Pass, which span the Cascade Valley, Ritter Range and craggy Silver Divide. ©Jack Haskel
Glissade from Silver Pass
Location: 37.470451, -118.923401PCT'ers line up for a sweet snow slide session. ©Jack Haskel
Silver Pass Glissade
Location: 37.471649, -118.922852A PCT'er shows how it's done on the glissade down Silver Pass. ©Jack Haskel
Lazy bends of Tully Hole
Location: 37.501957, -118.920959©Jack Haskel
The Postpile From Above
Location: 37.615276, -119.087456©Jack Haskel
Devils Postpile
Location: 37.616638, -119.087456One of the world’s finest examples of columnar basalt that towers 60 feet high and display an unusual symmetry. ©Jack Haskel
Banner and Ritter
Location: 37.733742, -119.154396Banner Peak and Mt. Ritter from the PCT. ©Jack Haskel
Banner Peak
Location: 37.732197, -119.183014Snow-clad Banner Peak rises above the iced-over Thousand Lake basin. ©jack Haskel
Donohue Pass
Location: 37.758003, -119.243179PCT'ers rest at the entrance to Yosemite National Park. ©Jack Haskel
Jack at the Muir Hut
Location: 37.112171, -118.671341Contributor Jack Haskel stands at the doorway to the Muir Hut before the descent into the Evolution Basin. ©Jack Haskel
Inside the hut
Location: 37.111717, -118.670074A couple PCTer's take a break in the warmth of the Muir Hut©Jack Haskel
Jack at VVR
Location: 37.376022, -119.012016Contributor Jack Haskel stands at the VVR Mexico-to-Canada sign that greets thru-hikers. ©Jack Haskel
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