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Pacific Crest Trail: Best Month - High Sierra, CABackpacker Magazine

Every hiker's life list should include the 270 miles between Mt. Whitney and Sonora Pass. It may take a month, but it's a trivial sacrifice to make for the most unrelenting wilderness eye-candy you'll ever feast on.

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Author: Backpacker Magazine
Activity: Hiking
State: California (CA)
Distance: 240.97 mi 
Difficulty: 8 / 10
Rating:   1 rating(s)
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Some things are so inevitable there's no sense disputing them: death, taxes, and the unrivaled beauty of the Sierra. Following the John Muir Trail much of the way, the PCT rambles through dozens of scenes suitable for framing—13,000—and 14,000-foot granite skyscrapers, canyons a mile deep, and thousands of lakes in beds of polished rock. You'll walk the longest strip of roadless trail in the nation and bump into civilization just twice. The best campsite is...virtually anywhere, though an enduringly classic spot to pitch nylon is Vidette Meadow, below the soaring Kearsarge Pinnacles. If you absolutely can't spare more than a week, knock off the 76 miles from Tuolumne Meadows to Sonora Pass; here, the PCT ventures beyond the popular JMT into remote northern Yosemite and the Emigrant Wilderness. And leave your umbrella at home: The Sierra in summer is reliably sunny and mild.

LOCAL WISDOM Flatlanders should hike this stretch north to south to acclimatize before reaching the higher elevations of Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks.

-Mike Lanza

TO TRAILHEAD: Sonora Pass is 35 miles E of Pinecrest on CA 108. The Whitney Portal trailhead is at the end of Whitney Portal Rd., 13 miles W of US 395.

DIRECTIONS + WAYPOINTS: helping you find your way

Position Format: Datum:
Tracks

KPT03

Distance: 4.85 mi Points: 97
Total Time: none Speed: 0.0 mph Pace: 0:00 / mi
Active Time: none Speed: 0.0 mph Pace: 0:00 / mi
Off PCT: Kearsage Pass Resupply Track

VVR04

Distance: 6.16 mi Points: 118
Total Time: none Speed: 0.0 mph Pace: 0:00 / mi
Active Time: none Speed: 0.0 mph Pace: 0:00 / mi
Off PCT: Vermillion Valley Resort

STM05

Distance: 1.42 mi Points: 29
Total Time: none Speed: 0.0 mph Pace: 0:00 / mi
Active Time: none Speed: 0.0 mph Pace: 0:00 / mi
Off PCT: Shortcut to Tuolumne Meadows

PCT01

Distance: 8.44 mi Points: 803
Total Time: none Speed: 0.0 mph Pace: 0:00 / mi
Active Time: none Speed: 0.0 mph Pace: 0:00 / mi
Whitney Portal to Trail Crest

PCT02

Distance: 220.10 mi Points: 3466
Total Time: none Speed: 0.0 mph Pace: 0:00 / mi
Active Time: none Speed: 0.0 mph Pace: 0:00 / mi
PCT Best Month Track

Points of Interest

PCT430

Location: 36.587288, -118.238289
From Whitney Portal, head W on Mt. Whitney Trail to Trail Crest.

PCT431

Location: 36.561325, -118.292763
Trail Crest; drop packs and head along crumbling spine of scree past Mt. Muir

PCT432

Location: 36.578617, -118.291985
Summit Mt. Whitney, highest point in lower 48; enjoy views of the Great Western Divide, the central Sierras, and the Owens Valley below

PCT433

Location: 36.573349, -118.314651
Campsite 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: 36.563618, -118.349434
Crabtree Ranger Station and bear box; John Muir Trail to Mt. Whitney across creek

PCT435

Location: 36.558849, -118.361870
Rejoin 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, -118.371117
Wallace Creek and High Sierra Trail junction and bear box

PCT437

Location: 36.598915, -118.374153
Wright Creek

PCT438

Location: 36.620144, -118.380638
Bighorn Plateau

PCT439

Location: 36.635017, -118.385468
Bear box

PCT440

Location: 36.639717, -118.388046
Spur to Tyndall Creek Ranger Station

PCT441

Location: 36.640934, -118.387398
Shepard Pass trail

PCT442

Location: 36.642132, -118.387413
Tyndall Creek

PCT443

Location: 36.643002, -118.387451
Bear box

PCT444

Location: 36.645050, -118.388130
Lake South America trail

PCT445

Location: 36.694534, -118.373535
Forester Pass: highest point on PCT and entrace into Kings Canyon NP

PCT446

Location: 36.730915, -118.372833
Center Basin Creek

PCT447

Location: 36.751518, -118.395287
Bear box

PCT448

Location: 36.759300, -118.405830
Vidette Meadow campsite and bear box

PCT449

Location: 36.760216, -118.407166
Camp in Lower Vidette Meadows

PCT450

Location: 36.760300, -118.412102
Bubbs Creek/PCT Junction; head uphill

PCT451

Location: 36.768066, -118.411415
Bullfrog Lake Trail junction. Not the PCT, but spur trail to Independence for a necessary resupply

PCT452

Location: 36.773682, -118.381714
Kearsage Pass Tral Junction

PCT453

Location: 36.773132, -118.376564
Kearsage Pass, leaving Kings Canyon NP into Inyo National Forest to Onion Valley

PCT454

Location: 36.775269, -118.343201
Golden Trout Lakes Junction

PCT455

Location: 36.772533, -118.341202
Onion Valley Trailhead

PCT456

Location: 36.772949, -118.413651
Trail junction

PCT457

Location: 36.773285, -118.417564
Resume PCT

PCT458

Location: 36.789616, -118.412102
Glen Pass

PCT459

Location: 36.801815, -118.403198
Rae Lakes, Sixty Lakes Basin trail junction

PCT460

Location: 36.806583, -118.398048
Bear box

PCT461

Location: 36.811218, -118.400650
Spur to Rae Lakes Ranger Station

PCT462

Location: 36.814632, -118.404999
Bear box @ Lower Rae Lakes and good camping

PCT463

Location: 36.834499, -118.408119
Spur to Baxter Pass

PCT464

Location: 36.849800, -118.412430
Crossing at South Fork Woods Creek

PCT465

Location: 36.873432, -118.436966
Wooden suspension bridge over Woods Creek and bear locker

PCT466

Location: 36.902550, -118.400551
Sawmill Pass trail junction

PCT467

Location: 36.936218, -118.412483
Pinchot Pass

PCT468

Location: 36.969433, -118.441170
High water log crossing at South Fork Kings River

PCT469

Location: 37.031715, -118.460098
Mather Pass

PCT470

Location: 37.054501, -118.514702
Deer Meadow campsite

PCT471

Location: 37.052647, -118.578674
Middle Fork Kings River Junction; follow signs for JMT N into LeConte Canyon

PCT472

Location: 37.110615, -118.604897
Campsite at Big Pete Meadow

PCT473

Location: 37.113251, -118.633163
Helen Lake Outlet, climb continues

PCT474

Location: 37.118668, -118.659866
Muir Hut on Muir Pass

PCT475

Location: 37.111984, -118.670914
Crossing at Evolution Lake inlet

PCT476

Location: 37.187855, -118.745514
Nice, flat camp on Mc Clure Meadow with sublime views of The Hermit and Evolution Peaks

PCT477

Location: 37.195000, -118.773170
Old PCT junction @ Evolution Creek; high-water crossing can be swift

PCT478

Location: 37.195465, -118.781670
Rejoin new PCT @ crossing of Evolution Creek

PCT479

Location: 37.193016, -118.794968
Bridge over South Fork San Joaquin River and Goddard Canyon trail junction

PCT480

Location: 37.202965, -118.800537
Cross metal bridge

PCT481

Location: 37.225250, -118.832748
Bridge, leaving Kings Canyon NP into Sierra National Forest

PCT482

Location: 37.225899, -118.860786
Florence Lake trail junction

PCT483

Location: 37.242100, -118.871696
Spur to Florence Lake trail and Muir Trail Ranch

PCT484

Location: 37.253551, -118.864647
Senger Creek

PCT485

Location: 37.270134, -118.876549
Outlet of eastern of Sally Keyes Lakes

PCT486

Location: 37.280918, -118.874649
Outlet of Heart Lake

PCT487

Location: 37.289917, -118.872803
Selden Pass

PCT488

Location: 37.321884, -118.868286
Leaving PCT to cross Bear Creek at three forks section; use caution at dangerous ford

PCT489

Location: 37.330166, -118.866882
Return to PCT at normal crossing of Bear Creek

PCT490

Location: 37.368000, -118.888153
PCT leaves Bear Creek to climb ridge

PCT491

Location: 37.382534, -118.910370
Trail to Bear Ridge trailhead and foot access to Vermillion Valley Resort

PCT492

Location: 37.412518, -118.924370
Leaving PCT for ferry across Edison Lake to Vermillion Valley Ranch at this junction

PCT493

Location: 37.405216, -118.942368
Ferry landing

PCT494

Location: 37.375702, -119.012451
Vermillion 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, -118.923233
Silver Pass

PCT496

Location: 37.501301, -118.924835
Bridge over Fish Creek

PCT497

Location: 37.527317, -118.949135
Outlet of Purple Lake; no camping allowed

PCT498

Location: 37.539318, -118.970970
Creek

PCT499

Location: 37.563465, -119.033714
Deer Creek; campsites

PCT500

Location: 37.591148, -119.058487
Creek below Red Cones and Mammoth Pass Trail

PCT501

Location: 37.609917, -119.075348
Rainbow Falls trail

PCT502

Location: 37.615002, -119.074852
Red'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, -119.085548
Bridge near Devils Postpile

PCT504

Location: 37.632801, -119.088654
Resume PCT @ split with JMT

PCT505

Location: 37.653168, -119.080032
Bridge over Middle Fork San Joaquin River

PCT506

Location: 37.682449, -119.097519
Another trail to Shadow Lake

PCT507

Location: 37.681984, -119.086334
Agnew Meadow parking lot

PCT508

Location: 37.682800, -119.084618
High trail trailhead

PCT509

Location: 37.723267, -119.132484
Great camping with view of the Minarets, Banner Peak and Mount Ritter -- the centerpiece summits of the grand Ritter Range

PCT510

Location: 37.725349, -119.134415
Trail to Clarke Lake

PCT511

Location: 37.728535, -119.171280
JMT and PCT merge @ Thousand Island Lake

PCT512

Location: 37.761833, -119.249367
Donohue Pass trail; enter Yosemite National Park

PCT513

Location: 37.777416, -119.261833
Bridge over Lyell Fork

PCT514

Location: 37.794300, -119.263000
Campsite in grass just off trail along Lyell Fork

PCT515

Location: 37.866749, -119.322151
Bridge and trail junction to Tuolumne Pass

PCT516

Location: 37.868717, -119.333069
Spur to campground and store; not official PCT

PCT517

Location: 37.877808, -119.338722
Nearing Tioga Road; Lembert Dome to N

PCT518

Location: 37.874298, -119.357101
Tuolumne Meadows General Store--fully stocked and package service @ US Post Office; backpackers campsite nearby S of road

PCT519

Location: 37.876980, -119.353065
Turn L @ parking lot and follow the gravel road

PCT520

Location: 37.879101, -119.366852
PCT trailhead sign; here the JMT goes S to Yosemite Valley and the PCT heads to Glen Aulin High Sierra camp. Enjoy the views of Tuolumne Meadows framed by the Cathedral Range while heading northbound

PCT524

Location: 37.885109, -119.377289
Cross Delaney Creek

PCT525

Location: 37.888416, -119.380669
Go L @ Young Lakes trail

PCT526

Location: 37.901501, -119.412453
Multi-section bridge over the roaring Tuolumne River

PCT527

Location: 37.906418, -119.418251
See the rushing cascades of Tuolumne Falls from here

PCT528

Location: 37.907902, -119.420700
Go R @ McGee Lake trail junction

PCT529

Location: 37.909100, -119.420250
Bridge below White Cascade

PCT530

Location: 37.909584, -119.419853
Bridge going R to Glen Aulin High Sierra camp (don't cross it)

PCT531

Location: 37.953548, -119.405701
The trail welcomes you into a large meadow in Cold Canyon; in early season mosquitoes can be horrible

PCT532

Location: 37.995815, -119.378799
Go L @ McCabe Lake trail

PCT533

Location: 38.004932, -119.377480
Virginia Canyon creek

PCT536

Location: 38.004917, -119.377449
Virginia Canyon creek; can be a dangerous ford

PCT537

Location: 38.006550, -119.376732
Virginia Canyon trail; go straight, bearing W

PCT538

Location: 38.006901, -119.390503
Cross Spiller Creek

PCT539

Location: 37.993999, -119.418434
N end of Miller Lake

PCT540

Location: 38.014950, -119.413033
Go L @ Matterhorn Canyon trail

PCT541

Location: 38.014099, -119.414520
Matterhorn Creek

PCT542

Location: 38.019817, -119.448280
Last ford of Wilson Creek; head up to Benson Pass on well-graded path for fairly easy climb

PCT543

Location: 38.015148, -119.461197
Benson Pass

PCT544

Location: 38.012165, -119.486618
Smedberg Lake

PCT545

Location: 38.006134, -119.493103
R @ junction to Rodgers Lake

PCT546

Location: 38.005798, -119.497314
R @ Pleasant Valley trail junction

PCT547

Location: 38.022896, -119.520020
Cross Piute Creek with Benson Lake Spur trail going L; Piute Creek can be a deep, wet ford in the spring and early summer even though the current is minimal in this wide river. A visit to the "Benson Riviera," a large sandy beach on Benson Lake's N shore is well worth the detour, but the bugs can be bad in this wet, heavily vegetated area. PIC; roll 112; 1283; A hiker hoists her pack above her head crossing Piute Creek

PCT548

Location: 38.039150, -119.526863
Beautiful sparkling pond nestled amongst granite, which should not be passed quickly. It's well protected from the wind, fairly warm and has great diving rocks. Be sure to camp 100 ft. from shore; no fires

PCT549

Location: 38.044949, -119.522285
Seavey Pass

PCT550

Location: 38.044750, -119.572464
Go R @ Kerrick Creek and Bear Valley Trail Junction; Kerrick Creek can be a very dangerous ford.

PCT551

Location: 38.059265, -119.590080
Stubblefield Creek

PCT552

Location: 38.062901, -119.624382
Go R @ Tiltill Valley trail

PCT553

Location: 38.064167, -119.623718
L @ Tilden Lake trail

PCT554

Location: 38.069218, -119.639900
S end Wilman Lake

PCT555

Location: 38.073467, -119.645897
Falls Canyon Creek crossing; can be dangerous

PCT556

Location: 38.073849, -119.646500
Straight @ Laurel Lake junction

PCT557

Location: 38.087799, -119.634003
Straight @ Tilden Lake junction

PCT558

Location: 38.133701, -119.619530
S end of long and beautiful Grace Meadow

PCT559

Location: 38.169815, -119.601547
Straight @ Bond Pass trail

PCT560

Location: 38.176033, -119.594070
Dorothy Lake; exposed camping can be found away from the lake

PCT561

Location: 38.194733, -119.570847
Cross Cascade Creek and reach the 1,000 mile mark from Mexican Border. This area can be very buggy.

PCT562

Location: 38.199917, -119.568634
L @ Y with Walker River trail

PCT563

Location: 38.223934, -119.578568
Straight @ Cinko River trail

PCT564

Location: 38.225750, -119.576736
L @ Long Lake trail and bridge

PCT565

Location: 38.253315, -119.597870
Cross creek in Kennedy Canyon

PCT567

Location: 38.294018, -119.637154
Cross through a notch on E ridge of Leavitt Peak

PCT568

Location: 38.320259, -119.643532
Potentially dangerous slope if covered in snow

PCT569

Location: 38.327835, -119.637230
Cross CA 108 @ Sonora Pass; turnout and sign explaining history of passes in area. Campground a few hundred feet W; hitch W to the northern Kennedy Meadows Resort for food and relaxation or hitch E down to Bridgeport for a town with more services

Freaked-out Crossing

Location: 37.194897, -118.785561
Contributor 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

A Raging Shower

Location: 37.195347, -118.781235
Contributor Jack Haskel showers under the frigid spill-off from Evolution Creek. ©Jack Haskel

Sierra Alpenglow

Location: 37.186157, -118.743744
Early stages of dusk paint the Hermit and Mt. Mendel soft-pink against azure skies. ©Jack Haskel

Raging Creek

Location: 37.441914, -118.918121
A lone PCT'er makes the slippery crossing where Silver Pass Creek tumbles from the bedrock. ©Jack Haskel

Edison Queen

Location: 37.389061, -118.955963
With the Vermillion Cliffs in the background, PCT'ers rest on the deck of the Edison Queen, Vermillion Valley Resort's ferry shuttle. ©Jack Haskel

Fery Landing

Location: 37.405888, -118.941940
PCT'ers wait at the Edison Lake boat dock for the ferry to Vermillion Valley Resort. ©Jack Haskel

Evolution Valley

Location: 37.187328, -118.746628
Evolution Creek floods McClure Meadow, creating a virtual lake. The Hermit and Mt. Darwin Bench reflect in the glassy watercourse. ©Jack Haskel

One of the locals

Location: 37.112171, -118.670166
A local marmot hangs out in the Muir Hut. ©Jack Haskel

Climbing to Muir Pass

Location: 37.114338, -118.663544
The large basin of Helen Lake makes for a long final climb to Muir Pass. Deep ©Jack Haskel

The Muir Hut

Location: 37.112892, -118.667641
Perched on an exposed ridge, the Muir Hut welcomes weary hikers with shelter. ©Jack Haskel

Flooded Meadow

Location: 37.187057, -118.742035
Evolution 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 View

Location: 37.175343, -118.701752
Looking down from Evolution Lake's bench see far-off views north over the Goddard Divide. ©Jack Haskel

Evolution Basin from Muir Pass

Location: 37.113525, -118.671295
The snow basin of Wanda Lake opens up once you crest Muir Pass. ©Jack Haskel

Jack at Silver Pass

Location: 37.470451, -118.922585
Contributor 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

Inside the hut

Location: 37.111717, -118.670074
A couple PCTer's take a break in the warmth of the Muir Hut©Jack Haskel

Jack at the Muir Hut

Location: 37.112171, -118.671341
Contributor Jack Haskel stands at the doorway to the Muir Hut before the descent into the Evolution Basin. ©Jack Haskel

Dononue Pass

Location: 37.758003, -119.243179
PCT'ers relax after entering Yosemite National Park. ©Jack Haskel

Climbing to the county line

Location: 38.248615, -119.614403
A hiker climbs towards the Mono/Tuolumne County line in deep early-season snow. ©Jack Haskel

Piute Creek Crossing

Location: 38.022850, -119.519241
A hiker hoists her pack above her head crossing Piute Creek. ©Jack Haskel

Jack at VVR

Location: 37.376022, -119.012016
Contributor Jack Haskel stands at the VVR Mexico-to-Canada sign that greets thru-hikers. ©Jack Haskel

Banner Peak

Location: 37.732197, -119.183014
Snow-clad Banner Peak rises above the iced-over Thousand Lake basin. ©Jack Haskel

Lazy bends of Tully Hole

Location: 37.501957, -118.920959
©Jack Haskel

Silver Pass Glissade

Location: 37.471649, -118.922852
A PCT'er shows how it's done on the glissade down Silver Pass. ©Jack Haskel

Glissade from Silver Pass

Location: 37.470451, -118.923401
PCT'ers line up for a sweet snow slide session. ©Jack Haskel

Banner and Ritter

Location: 37.733742, -119.154396
Banner Peak and Mt. Ritter from the PCT. ©Jack Haskel

Devils Postpile

Location: 37.616638, -119.087456
One of the world’s finest examples of columnar basalt that towers 60 feet high and display an unusual symmetry. ©Jack Haskel

The Postpile From Above

Location: 37.615276, -119.087456
©Jack Haskel

Long Slog to Muir Pass

Location: 37.121632, -118.652321
High snow blankets the bench leading to Muir Pass. ©Jack Haskel

Bighorn Plateau

Location: 36.615692, -118.376556
Head-turning views open up on the sparse terrain of the Bighorn Plateau. ©Jack Haskel

Into the Whitney Basin

Location: 36.577785, -118.293678
The iconically shaped Guitar Lake rests in the Whitney Basin, with the Great Western Divide and Kaweah Peaks in the background. ©Jack Haskel

Jack at the register

Location: 36.579128, -118.290726
Map contributor Jack Haskel stands next to the Whitney Hut with the Kaweah Peaks in the background. ©Jack Haskel

Steep View

Location: 36.693253, -118.372925
Knife-edged switchbacks provide long-range views over the Great Western Divide. ©Jack Haskel

Snowfield

Location: 36.680347, -118.379646
Two PCT'ers traverse a deep snowfield south of Forester Pass. ©Jack Haskel

Climbing to Forester Pass

Location: 36.691372, -118.373734
With the Kaweah Ridge behind, a PCT'er continues the trip north. ©Jack Haskel

Whitney Hut

Location: 36.579483, -118.292244
The 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

Mount Hitchcock Reflection

Location: 36.567314, -118.304596
This ridge frames the south end of the Whitney Basin. ©Jack Haskel

Crossing Whitney Creek

Location: 36.562225, -118.350609
A PCT'er negotiates a creek crossing while a fellow hiker balances the log. ©Jack Haskel

The Big Hill

Location: 36.565891, -118.349266
Postcard views of Mount Whitney's helmet-shaped crest from the west. ©Jack Haskel

Along the Sierra Crest

Location: 36.572765, -118.289734
This view over Mount Muir and the tilted ridge south of Whitney reveals a snowy landscape stretching to the Great Western Divide. ©Jack Haskel

Summit Push

Location: 36.575817, -118.293854
A PCT'er climbs along the block-filled route to Whitney's summit. ©Jack Haskel

Climbing to Trail Crest

Location: 36.561230, -118.298599
Still in the shadow of early day, a PCT'er climbs to the turnoff for Mount Whitney. ©Jack Haskel

At the pass

Location: 36.694328, -118.372299
Three PCT'ers relish in cresting Forester, the highest pass on the PCT. ©Jack Haskel

Lonesome Path

Location: 36.838673, -118.407402
A PCT'er strides into the verdant reaches of Kings Canyon. ©Jack Haskel

Rae Lakes and Fin Dome

Location: 36.812553, -118.403992
Views over the granite domes and craggy tars of the popular Rae Lakes Basin. ©Jack Haskel

Painted Lady

Location: 36.804203, -118.400131
The Painted Lady, a dome of varicolored bands, hovers over Upper Rae Lake. ©Jack Haskel

Up to Mather Pass

Location: 37.030827, -118.459854
Deep snow on the path to Mather Pass. ©Jack Haskel

Storms approaching Mather Pass

Location: 36.936062, -118.412262
A PCT'er big-sticks to Mather Pass, with a storm brewing to the south. ©Jack Haskel

Big ford

Location: 36.827454, -118.409203
A PCT'er crosses a cold, swift creek in Kings Canyon NP. ©Jack Haskel

Rae Lakes

Location: 36.799355, -118.401932
A granite-encrusted lake basin with a narrow isthmus. ©Jack Haskel

Kings Canyon

Location: 36.713058, -118.368805
After Forester, the PCT enters the north end of Kings Canyon, a deep, glacially carved trench. ©Jack Haskel

Long Glissade

Location: 36.698452, -118.370148
Coming off of Forester, a PCT'er takes the short way down. ©Jack Haskel

Jack at the Pass

Location: 36.695133, -118.373558
Contributor Jack Haskel sits on the Sequoia-Kings Canyon boundary at Forest Pass. ©Jack Haskel

Kearsarge Pass

Location: 36.773193, -118.375023
A PCT'er stands at the Kings Canyon border at Kearsarge Pass. ©Jack Haskel

Kearsarge Pinnacles

Location: 36.773869, -118.380409
Travelling to Kearsarge Pass, the jagged edge of the Kearsarge Pinnacles stand above a lake-dappled basin. ©Jack Haskel

East Vidette

Location: 36.764217, -118.408012
Rising above Kings Canyon and Vidette Meadow is the triangular point of East Vidette. ©Jack Haskel



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